Mystery deepens as suspect in killing of Chicago family-of-four and their three dogs is shot dead in burning car 650 miles away in Oklahoma: Female person of interest is pulled from car with bullet wounds

A suspect in the killings of a Chicago family of four and their three dogs was shot to death in a burning car after fleeing police in Oklahoma.

Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, her husband Alberto Rolon and their children Adriel, 10, and Diego, seven, were shot dead Sunday in their family bungalow in Romeoville, a suburb of Chicago.

Nathaniel Huey Jr., a 31-year-old man from Streamwood, Illinois, has been named a “person of interest” in the murders, along with a woman “having a relationship” with him.

The woman was reported missing and in danger by her family Tuesday evening and a car linked to her was spotted Wednesday in Catoosa, about 650 miles from the crime scene.

Officers said they attempted to stop the vehicle, but it fled the scene. The car crashed and burst into flames and two gunshots were heard before police found Huey fatally shot in the driver’s seat and the woman seriously injured.

Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris Burne revealed Huey was found dead in a burning car after being identified as a suspect.

A vehicle linked to him was identified in Catoosa using a license plate reader and authorities attempted to stop him, but he sped away.

This led to the car crashing and catching fire. “Officers on scene heard two noises that may have been gunshots,” Burne said.

Huey was found dead in the driver’s seat and the woman was seriously injured.

The incident led to the temporary closure of the westbound lanes of Interstate 44 near the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa around 11:30 a.m.

Police determined the shooting of the family was “not a random incident” and that there was no reason for the public to remain indoors following the fatal shooting.

Romeoville Police Department Deputy Chief Burne said, “The evidence showed us a connection between our suspect and the victims as well as a possible motive. »

But he declined to reveal further details about the possible motive.

“Although Huey has been identified as a suspect, this is still an active and evolving investigation,” a police statement said. “This part of the incident is still ongoing.”

“We were able to determine that this was not a random incident and that there was no reason to put a shelter in place,” Burne said Tuesday.

“This incident is the police department’s top priority.” Officers were called to the homestead located in the 500 block of Concord Avenue for a welfare check.

Their family said they did not know why anyone would want to kill them, and Zoraida’s devastated sister appealed for answers.

One of Zoraida and Alberto did not show up for work on Sunday and did not respond to calls from loved ones, sparking concerns.

Police tragically discovered the bodies and believe the shooting happened between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday.

The Will County Major Crimes Task Force is helping investigators collect evidence and review videos, Burne said.

“All officers and professional staff have worked tirelessly on this case. Our detectives and crime scene investigators have spent the last 36 hours collecting a tremendous amount of physical evidence.

Zoraida’s sister, Bryana Bartolomei, shared a photo of the family, originally from Puerto Rico, on Facebook.

She wrote: “I want to know what happened to my nephews, my sister, her husband, and WHY?

“They were shot and killed in their home.”

The photo shows Zoraida and Alberto beaming with their two sons, one playfully holding a lock of his mother’s hair.

A fundraiser set up to cover funeral costs was set up on Monday, describing their children as “the sweetest, most innocent angels”. So far, nearly $30,000 has been raised.

Friends described them as “hard-working people who had just bought their first house.”

“Their children were the sweetest, most innocent angels who could wash away your worries,” the fundraiser said.

“In just a few hours, their lives, that of their families, completely changed. The world will be a much darker place without them.

Community members have come forward with information and evidence to help piece together what happened. Burne asks for more help, including footage of the Ring doorbell.

Children Adriel and Diego attended RC Hill Elementary School, a post from district Superintendent Rachel Kinder revealed.

She described their killings as a “senseless act of gun violence.”

“This violent incident and loss will certainly raise many emotions, concerns and questions throughout our school community.”

The school provides mental health services and counseling to school families.

Romeoville Mayor John D. Noak said Tuesday, “Our entire community is grieving with the family following this tragic incident.

“I have asked our social services staff to make themselves available to our community to help begin the healing process.”

Zoraida’s mother Lydia, from Puerto Rico, told DailyMail.com they are “very happy” and only bought their $250,000 home in Romeoville five months ago.

She last spoke with her daughter shortly before her death, on the weekend, as the family settled in to watch a movie, and she couldn’t understand why they had been targeted.

Crime scene technicians removed several brown and pink bags as well as part of a window from the three-bedroom house as the investigation began on Sunday.