Illinois officials are investigating what appears to be a quadruple homicide in a small, quiet neighborhood outside of Chicago after police discovered the bodies of a family of four in their home.
Two adults and two children, along with their three dogs, were fatally shot in their home in Romeoville, Illinois. The deaths do not have the markings of a murder-suicide, and officers are investigating the incident as a murder, Deputy Chief Chris Burne of the Romeoville Police Department said during a news conference on Monday.
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Here's everything to know about the murders in Romeoville.
What is known about the murders?
Police responded to the home in the 500 block of Concord Avenue for a welfare check on Sunday night after one of the family members did not show up for work, and calls from relatives went unanswered and prompted concern, Burne said.
Upon entering the home, police discovered Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, their two boys, ages 7 and 10, and their dogs had been shot to death. While the Will County Coroner's Office did not name the children, Bryana Barolomei, sister to Zoraida Bartolomei, named them as Adriel, 10, and Diego, 7.
Burne said investigators believe the shooting happened sometime between 9 p.m. on Saturday and 5 a.m. on Sunday, and they "do not believe the offender is among the victims."
“We were able to determine this was not a random incident, and there was no cause for a shelter-in-place order,” Burne said on Tuesday in a video.
“This incident is the police department’s top priority. All officers and professional staff have been working tirelessly on this case," Burne continued. "Our detectives and crime-scene investigators have spent the last 36 hours collecting a tremendous amount of physical evidence."
What is known about the victims?
Diego and Adriel attended R.C. Hill Elementary School, according to a message posted by the district’s superintendent, Rachel Kinder. Kinder did not name the students but called their deaths a “senseless act of gun violence.”
“This violent incident and loss are sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school community,” Kinder said. "We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and will do everything we can to support your child, your family, and the safety of our school community."
Bryana Bartolomei posted a GoFundMe link on Facebook that paid tribute to the family and hoped to cover the funeral costs.
"These were hardworking people that had just bought their first home. Their kids were the sweetest, most innocent angels who could hug your worries away," the fundraiser page reads. "[I]n just a few hours their lives, their family’s lives completely changed. The world is going to be a much dimmer place without them."
Bartolomei echoed officials in asking those with information about the crime to contact the Romeoville Police Department.
"Someone out there destroyed these beautiful people. They are still out there, please help us find them," the sister wrote.
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Mayor John Noak said the incident has shaken the town. Romeoville has a population of around 40,000 and sits 35 miles southwest of Chicago.
“It is always heartbreaking whenever there is a loss of life, but when there are children involved it’s much more painful,” he said via NBC News.