In a horrifying incident, a man has left a trail of devastation in the Chicago suburbs, shooting and killing eight people at three different locations since Sunday. The suspect, who remains at large, has prompted a massive manhunt by local authorities in Joliet and Will counties, who are still grappling to unravel the motive behind the heinous killings.
The victims, discovered at three separate locations on Sunday and Monday, were reportedly known to the assailant, according to statements from the police. The unfolding tragedy prompted law enforcement to issue a warning on social media, urging the public to consider the suspect as “armed and dangerous.”
Joliet Police Chief William Evans, during a news conference outside the crime scenes on Monday evening, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “I have been a policeman for 29 years, and this is probably the worst crime scene I have ever been associated with.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s fugitive task force is actively assisting local police in the intensive search for the suspect.
Will County Chief Deputy Dan Jungles revealed that deputies had been monitoring one of the houses since Sunday evening, anticipating the potential return of the suspect. When no activity was observed, they approached the residence, subsequently discovering the first set of victims. Jungles did not provide further details on the timeline of the deaths, stating that autopsies were pending.
The victims, identified as family members by Chief Evans, raise questions about the assailant’s connection to them. When pressed about the familial ties, Jungles refrained from commenting, only confirming that the suspect had known the victims.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, the Joliet Police shared a Facebook post disclosing an ongoing investigation into “multiple” deaths, along with the suspect’s photo and images of a red Toyota Camry, identified as the getaway vehicle. The Will County Sheriff’s Office had previously shared images of the same car, linking it to two separate shootings on Sunday afternoon.
As the investigation unfolds, the tight-knit communities in Joliet and Will counties grapple with the shock and grief of the tragedy, while law enforcement intensifies efforts to apprehend the suspect, bringing justice to the victims and their grieving families.
Sources By Agencies
