Man fatally shoots wife before taking his own life in south suburbs, police say

A man shot and killed himself after fatally shooting his wife early Monday morning in suburban Plainfield, police said.

At approximately 5:49 a.m., police responded to a home in the 1800 block of Burshire Court in the Clublands subdivision regarding multiple reports of gunfire. Officers arrived at the scene and found a 40-year-old man who had shot himself in the front yard, police said in a news release.

The man, identified as Ryan Heit by the Kendall County Coroner’s Office, was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers then entered the home and discovered 40-year-old Jennifer Heit, who had been shot to death, authorities said.

Four children ranging in age from 3 years old to 16 years old were found in the home unharmed. Police conducted a preliminary investigation and determined the shooting was domestic-related, authorities said.

The couple’s four children were placed in the care of another family member.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Joliet Police Department, which is handling the investigation into the shooting.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988, or go to 988lifeline.org, to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.