Suspect in killing turns himself in

The 19-year-old male suspect wanted in the killing of a Milwaukee woman during a domestic dispute has turned himself in to police.

The suspect was wanted in the fatal shooting of Audrea Williams, 18, and Milwaukee police will refer the case to prosecutors this week, a spokesman said Monday. The suspect surrendered to authorities on Friday.

Williams was shot to death about 1 p.m. Wednesday inside a home in the 8100 block of W. Villard Ave. A witness took Williams’ 2month-old son away from the scene briefly, but he was returned, police said. The baby was placed with Child Protective Services.

Williams had a relationship with the19-year-old suspect, who last August was charged with false imprisonment and battery, both by use of a dangerous weapon. Williams was the victim in that case, which ultimately was dismissed after she withdrew the complaint against him.

The man had gone to Williams’ house in the middle of the night, pointed a gun at her and ordered her to get in his car, according to the criminal complaint. While in the car, he demanded her online passwords and punched her before she escaped, the complaint says.

Prosecutors said last week the case was dismissed because Williams’ testimony was necessary in moving forward with the case successfully. There were no other witnesses and no corroborating evidence, such as a firearm, was found during the investigation.

Domestic violence experts said it’s not unusual for domestic violence victims to decline to participate in the criminal justice process — mainly for their own safety.

The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour hotline at (414) 933-2722. The National Domestic Abuse hotline is (800) 799-7233 and the National Child Abuse Hotline is (800) 422-4453.