Romeoville bank hostages say gunman said he was 'tired of life,' planned on dying
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- Cell phone video shows a gunman holding hostages inside a suburban Romeoville bank earlier this week. The situation ended when a SWAT team member killed the man.
Now, we're hearing from two women who were inside the bank when this happened.
READ MORE: Romeoville bank hostages share harrowing ordeal: 'He was literally crying out for help'
Illinois State Police are now in charge of the investigation, asking why the gunman went into a Romeoville bank and took customers and employees hostage. They all got out safely, and two of those hostages told a story about a very troubled man.
Hostages say the gunman - believed to be in his 60s - fired three shots inside the Romeoville bank Tuesday and started speaking to them.
Full interview with Roxana Boyden
One of hostages, mother of four Roxana Boyden, recalled what the gunman said.
"He adamantly talked about how we're important," Boyden said. "We are moms, we have kids. He stated he had no one."
Another mother held hostage, Sandra Mendoza, captured video of the gunman who kept talking.
"'I'm not here to hurt you. I'm not here to hurt no one, I'm not here for the money,'" Mendoza said. "'I'm here because I'm tired of life. I am tired of life, I'm tired the bank screwed me over.' That's what he kept on saying."
Full interview with Sandra Mendoza
The gunman's motive remains unclear. The hostages estimate they were held captive for 30 minutes. During that time, the gunman talked about his own family.
"He said his mom had passed, and no one told him anything about it," Mendoza said. "In the obituary they didn't even include him as a son."
They also said he planned on dying.
"He literally told us, 'I'm here to die tonight, either I'm going to take my life, or they're going to take it. But I'm not leaving here today,'" Mendoza said.
Ultimately, the gunman set the hostages free. Once law enforcement arrived, he was shot, transported to the hospital, and pronounced dead.
The two mothers said those 30 terrifying minutes revealed what life is truly about.
"After all this, I'm a strong believer we should live life to the fullest and love one another no matter what," Mendoza said.
"By the grace of God, I'm okay," Boyden added. "I'm with my family where I should be."
The Will County Sheriff's Office said a member of its SWAT team fired one shot that hit the suspect. Law enforcement and the coroner's office have not yet released the gunman's name.
