CHICAGO — The man accused of killing two people and injuring a third in attacks carried out in a Gage Park apartment and a neighboring bar on Sunday was unable to appear in court for a detention hearing today, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said.
Robert Romo, 57, was hospitalized for an undisclosed reason, so a judge rescheduled his detention hearing for Monday, March 31.
Chicago police first received a call for help around 9:39 p.m. Sunday from a man who said a relative had his wife inside their apartment in the 5300 block of South Kedzie. The caller also told a 911 dispatcher that his wife may have hit the attacker with a hammer, but he did not know where the assailant went.
Officers responded to the scene but left after failing to find anyone needing help, according to dispatch records.
About 15 minutes later, multiple 911 callers reported an active shooter inside Just One More Sports Bar, 5332 South Kedzie. Cops arrived quickly and reported hearing gunfire inside the tavern.
CPD said Romo, while armed with a knife and a handgun, had approached a 37-year-old man outside the bar and then followed the man inside around 10:05 p.m.
Romo walked to the back of the bar and attacked a woman, who suffered multiple lacerations throughout her body, police said. She was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in good condition.
Officers arrested Romo at the scene and recovered a firearm.
Given the circumstances, the police returned to the home where the earlier shooting report originated. They found two people dead inside. Officers also found a hammer and a shell casing inside the apartment.
Richard Romo, 63, and Rita Chavez, 64, both died from multiple gunshot wounds and stabbing injuries, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. It is unclear if the Romos are related.
Robert Romo is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm.
State law requires defendants to be present in court when a judge considers a detention petition in their case.
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