Crime
Suspect who killed Romeca Meeks identified as Holly Johnson
CHICAGO — A woman fatally shot Monday morning in the South Loop has been identified as 31-year-old Romeca Meeks, while police have identified the alleged shooter as Holly Johnson, who remains in custody.
According to the Chicago Police Department (CPD), officers responded around 9:35 a.m. on September 8, 2025, to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire near Cermak Road and State Street.
When officers arrived, they found Meeks lying in the street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to her chin and thigh.
She was transported to Stroger Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators said the shooting followed a physical altercation between Meeks and Johnson, who allegedly claimed to possess a valid concealed carry license.
During the dispute, Johnson is accused of pulling out a firearm and shooting Meeks multiple times.
Police said Johnson remained at the scene, where her weapon was recovered, and she was immediately taken into custody.
Family members shared that Meeks had just dropped off her young son at school and was on her way to work at the time of the incident.
Witnesses also alleged that Meeks’ child’s father, Carlos “Losos” Way—who is reportedly subject to an active restraining order—was present during the altercation and placed Meeks in a headlock.
In those moments, Johnson allegedly drew her firearm and fatally shot Meeks at close range.
“Her cousin spoke with Channel2 NOW, stating: ‘This is my cousin, and what’s being reported is not accurate. He was physically fighting my cousin when his girlfriend got out of the car and shot her. This was not an act of self-defense, and Romeca was not fighting over him.’”
The Chicago Police Department confirmed that Area Three Detectives are handling the investigation.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the exact circumstances leading up to the altercation.
Meeks’ family has asked the public to respect their privacy and to refrain from sharing graphic videos of the incident that have circulated online.
Her sister issued a public plea for such footage to be removed out of respect for the victim and her loved ones.
Anyone with information about this homicide is urged to contact the CPD 1st District at (312) 745-4290 or submit tips anonymously at CPDTIP.com.
BEND, Ore. — Rhoam Summer, 5, has been identified as the first reported victim of the deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, where preliminary reports indicate that four victims, including three children and one adult, were killed. The 16-year-old suspect also died, bringing the reported death toll to five.
The shooting prompted a major law enforcement and emergency response Thursday afternoon, October 15, 2026, after Bend police issued an active-shooter alert at approximately 1:17 p.m. Authorities described a large police presence at the school and urged the public to avoid the area.
Information provided in preliminary reports indicated that the children killed were ages 5, 8 and 11. One teacher was also reported dead. Rhoam Summer, 5, was identified as the first victim publicly named in connection with the tragedy.
Authorities had not yet released the names of the other reported victims in the information available for this report.
According to preliminary information attributed to federal law enforcement, four victims died as a result of the shooting: three children and one adult. The suspected shooter, a 16-year-old Bend resident, was also reported dead.
This brings the reported total to five deaths, including the suspect.
Reports indicated that two additional people were transported for medical treatment in critical condition. They were described as a 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher.
The reported casualties have not all been independently confirmed through a complete official victim list. Further information from law enforcement and medical authorities is needed to establish the final number of injured people and the conditions of those receiving treatment.
Preliminary reports identified the suspected shooter as a 16-year-old resident of Bend. The teenager was reportedly armed with a shotgun.
Scanner traffic and early reports indicated that a bystander, described as a Good Samaritan and possibly the father of a student, shot and killed the suspect. Reports also described the bystander as someone legally carrying a concealed firearm.
However, the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death, including the identity and role of the bystander, require confirmation from law enforcement. These details should not be considered established facts until officials release an authoritative account.
Authorities had reported that the suspect was deceased, but further verified information about the sequence of events was not available in the preliminary reports summarized here.
Bend police issued an alert at approximately 1:17 p.m. Thursday reporting an active shooter at Silver Rail Elementary School in southeast Bend.
The initial alert provided limited information but warned residents of a large police presence and urged them to stay away from the area. Police, fire crews and emergency medical personnel responded to the school.
The incident triggered urgent safety measures as authorities worked to secure the campus, assess casualties and coordinate the emergency response.
Approximately 10 minutes after the initial alert, police announced that a reunification site had been established at Journey Church, located at 61303 S Highway 97, near Goodwill and Dairy Queen.
Families of students were instructed to go to the designated location to reunite with their children.
Parents also received alerts indicating that nearby schools, including Caldera High School and Jewell Elementary, had been placed under lockdown as a precaution while law enforcement responded to the shooting.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School has left families and the Bend community facing a devastating loss. The reported deaths of three children and one adult, along with the death of the teenage suspect, have made the incident one of the most serious school emergencies reported in the area.
Investigators are expected to establish the sequence of events, confirm the identities of the victims, determine how the shooting unfolded and clarify the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death.