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.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.