Two suspects in the killing of an Illinois family of four were found shot inside a car in Oklahoma days after the horrific murders were discovered, authorities announced Wednesday.
A 31-year-old man, Nathaniel Huey Jr., of Streamwood, Illinois, and an unnamed woman, who were identified as persons of interest in the killings, were involved in a car crash and shooting in Catoosa, Oklahoma, police said in a press conference.
The update comes days after the bodies of two adults, two children and three dogs were found at a home in Romeoville, Illinois.
The killings initially unfolded as police were called to the home for a well-being check around 8:43 p.m. Sunday in the 500 block of Concord Avenue.
Romeoville Police Deputy Chief Chris Burne said one of the family members didn’t show up for work at 6 a.m. on Sunday. Additionally, that individual didn’t respond to phone calls throughout the day, causing family members to become concerned.
Upon arrival at the home, officers discovered four deceased individuals, two adults and two children, with gunshot wounds.
The two adult victims were identified by authorities as Alberto Rolon and Zoraida Bartolomei, according to Romeoville police. The children, ages 7 and 9, have not yet been identified, but were both students at Robert C. Hill Elementary School, according to a statement from Valley View Community Unit School District 365U.
According to officials, the shooting is believed to have occurred between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday.
In an update published by police Tuesday, authorities determined that the shootings were “not a random act,” and said there was no ongoing threat to the public.
That same day, however, police said the female person of interest, who had a relationship to Huey, was reported by family Tuesday as a “missing and dangerous person” out of Streamwood, leading to the release of a statewide bulletin from Romeoville police.
By Wednesday morning, a digital license plate reader alert noted a suspected vehicle related to the pair was detected in Catoosa, Oklahoma, police said. Authorities there attempted to stop the vehicle and the driver “immediately attempted to elude the officers, resulting in a single-car crash,” Burne said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
The vehicle ultimately caught fire and officers at the scene reported hearing noises, believed to be two gunshots, before discovering Huey dead in the driver’s seat and the woman critically wounded in the passenger seat, Burne said. Both had gunshot wounds.
“This is still an active and evolving investigation and this portion of the incident is still unfolding,” Burne said.
Burne did not specify on the relationship between Huey and the family, but said evidence “has shown us a nexus between our suspect and the victims, as well as a possible motive.” He declined to comment on the possible motive, however.
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