Crime
Police Chase Ends in Gunfire and Multiple Officer Injuries in Savanna
SAVANNA, Ill. — A multi-agency police pursuit involving a stolen vehicle ended in a gunfire exchange early Thursday morning in Savanna, resulting in injuries to several law enforcement officers and the suspect.
According to a statement released by law enforcement, the incident began around 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, when Freeport Police responded to reports of a stolen vehicle.
Officers located the vehicle, but the driver fled the scene and struck a police squad car during the initial encounter. Officers briefly pursued the vehicle before losing sight of it and terminating the chase.
Later that night, a Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted the stolen vehicle near Hanover, Illinois. Another short pursuit was initiated but was also called off.
At approximately 3:40 a.m. Thursday, the suspect was located again in the Savanna area. During this renewed pursuit, authorities say the suspect rammed another police squad car, escalating the situation.
The first “shots fired” call came in at 3:45 a.m., followed by a second at 3:48 a.m.
Moments later, the suspect crashed the vehicle at the intersection of Chicago and Park Streets, striking a Mount Carroll Police Department squad car.
At 3:49 a.m., officers made physical contact with the suspect, during which additional shots were exchanged.
Multiple officers from the Savanna Police Department, Mount Carroll Police Department, and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The suspect was also injured during the incident and was airlifted to a regional hospital, where he is currently listed in stable condition.
The Illinois State Police has taken over the investigation, which remains ongoing.
By 6:00 a.m., local news crews observed a large police presence near South Gilbert Street and Chicago Avenue, where officers continued to secure and process the scene.
Further updates are expected as investigators work to determine the sequence of events and whether additional charges will be filed.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.