Jury Views Video in Joliet Shooting Trial
Jurors are reviewing evidence in the murder trial of Jon Hansen, who is accused of targeting victims in Joliet.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Violence
During the murder trial of 26-year-old Jon Hansen, jurors watched video footage of Romeo Nance at a Joliet gym on January 21, 2024. Nance allegedly killed seven family members on that same day before later dying by suicide in Texas.
Why it matters
The trial explores the connection between Hansen and Nance, with prosecutors alleging the two men coordinated to target victims based on their clothing color.
Jon Hansen faces charges for the murder of 28-year-old Toyosi Bakare and the attempted murder of 42-year-old Mario Guerrero. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Kyleigh Cleveland-Singleton is charged with obstruction of justice in the ongoing investigation.
The players
Jon Hansen
He is a 26-year-old defendant currently on trial for murder and attempted murder charges related to the Joliet shootings.
Romeo Nance
The 23-year-old suspect, who was 23 at the time of the events, killed seven family members before taking his own life in Texas.
Kyleigh Cleveland-Singleton
She is a 24-year-old charged with obstruction of justice in connection to the investigation.
Mario Guerrero
He is a 42-year-old who testified in court regarding the shooting incident in which he was wounded in the leg.
Toyosi Bakare
He was a 28-year-old victim who died from a gunshot wound to the head during the January 2024 shootings.
The details
Prosecutors are using shell casing positions and other forensic evidence to link Hansen to the shootings on West Acres Road. Defense attorneys are expected to focus their strategy on the actions and culpability of the late Romeo Nance.
Timeline
January 21, 2024: Romeo Nance killed seven family members and shot two other individuals.
January 22, 2024: Police discovered the bodies of the Nance-Esters family on West Acres Road.
Legal Context
This trial marks a critical legal development following the 2024 Joliet mass shooting. The proceedings aim to establish individual accountability for crimes linked to a series of violent incidents that shocked the local community.
Residents may see continued activity at the local courthouse as the trial proceeds. The legal process provides the community with official findings regarding the safety of the area during the time of the 2024 incidents.
The takeaway
The court's examination of video evidence highlights the prosecution's effort to connect separate violent acts to a wider conspiracy. This case underscores the ongoing legal resolution following a period of extreme violence in the city.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings, visit the Joliet Violence section.
