A couple and their two sons who were shot dead alongside their three dogs in their home in a quiet Illinois neighborhood were targeted, police said.
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.
Authorities have ruled out a murder-suicide and are searching for the killer who is still at large.
Their family said they did not know why anyone would want to kill them, and Zoraida’s devastated sister appealed for answers.
But police determined it was “not a random incident” and there was no reason for the public to stay indoors after the fatal shooting.
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.
Police have determined that this was “not a random incident” and that there is no reason for the public to remain indoors following the fatal shooting.
Their family said they did not know why anyone would want to kill them, and Zoraida’s devastated sister appealed for answers.
“We were able to determine that this was not a random incident and that there was no reason to establish a shelter,” Romeoville Police Department Deputy Chief Chris Burne.
“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.
One of the parents did not show up for work on Sunday and did not respond to calls from relatives, 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 created to cover funeral costs premiered Monday, describing their children as “the sweetest, most innocent angels.” So far, nearly $20,000 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.
Police tragically discovered the bodies following a welfare check and believe the shooting happened between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday.
Zoraida’s mother, Lydia, from Puerto Rico, previously told DailyMail.com that they were “very happy” and had just purchased their $250,000 home in Romeoville five months ago.
A fundraiser created to cover funeral costs and awareness of their case was created Monday, describing their children as “the sweetest, most innocent angels.”
“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.