Romeoville murder suspect believed dead after chase, shooting; 2nd person of interest also dies
Suspect Nathaniel Huey Jr. and person of interest Ermalinda Palomo had lived together in Streamwood for 6 years, neighbors said
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- Romeoville police identified two persons of interest Wednesday after a family was found shot to death in their home over the weekend, and the main suspect is believed to have died in a shooting after a police chase.
Nathaniel Huey Jr., 31, of Streamwood and a woman with a relationship to Huey were identified as being involved in the incident during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
The woman was reported by family as missing from Streamwood Tuesday night, police said.
On Wednesday morning, Catoosa, Oklahoma officials were alerted to a vehicle in their jurisdiction that matched a description and license plate of the suspects' vehicle.
During an attempted traffic stop, the vehicle drove away and crashed, police said.
The vehicle caught fire, and officers believed they heard two gunshots.
A woman was found in the passenger seat with a gunshot wound, police said. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died, an attorney representing her family said.
The same attorney identified her as Ermalinda Palomo. Neighbors said she and Huey lived in Streamwood together for about the past six years.
SEE ALSO: Romeoville police search for shooter after 4, including 2 children, found dead in home
Palomo's family attorney said her family reported her missing after her phone was shut off following a series of concerning text messages.
"And, they thought that she sounded scared. But, they don't have any direct information other than, 'Take care of my grand babies,'" said attorney John Paul Ivec.
Ivec said he's not aware of her involvement with the family in Romeoville.
"Police identified her as a person-of-interest. Ok, well, she's a victim just like the Romeoville family's a victim," he said.
A man was found dead with a gunshot wound in the driver's seat. Romeoville police said they believe the man to be Huey.
Police believe they know a motive behind the fatal shootings, but have not yet publicly released it.
Romeoville police, Oklahoma State Police and Catoosa police are all investigating the incident.
According to internal investigative reports obtained by the ABC7 I-Team, police knew Huey was a suspect early on.
Shortly after the victims were found, police put out a statewide alert for Huey and the car he was driving - the same one authorities chased in Oklahoma today.
Huey was described by police working the case as "irrational and erratic" with extensive firearms training.
READ MORE: What we know about the Romeoville murders suspect
Police said there is no reason to believe there are other suspects.
The Romeoville murders were not a random act, police said. The four victims were found in their home in Romeoville on Concord Avenue just off Independence Boulevard.
Police said Sunday night while conducting a well-being check they found the four victims dead inside their home on Concord Avenue in Romeoville's Hampton Park subdivision.
The Will County coroner identified the deceased adults as 38-year-old Alberto Rolon and 32-year-old Zoraida Bartolomei.
Bartolomei's family shared a statement on a relative's Facebook page saying in part, "We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of solidarity and support following the tragic loss.... At this moment, our primary focus is on channeling support, assistance and love for our family and loved ones."
Authorities have not named the couple's two sons, who neighbors said were around 7 and 9 years old. The family's three dogs were also gunned down.
Neighbors said they were a hard-working family who just moved into the home in April.
"Like a close knit family as far as I could tell, and they just stayed to themselves," a neighbor said. "Had outings in their backyard a lot of times with just family. And both of them worked. She worked days, and he worked nights, so they just crossed paths on the way."
Neighbors were confused how no one heard any gunshots.
"My niece, her bedroom is right there by the driveway," the neighbor said. "And she didn't hear anything. And she's got two little dogs and one of them if it hears anything, it will bark and nothing."
Police said the victims were killed sometime between Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
