Four homicides and two related house fires reported in 24 hours
House fires played a role in two out of four homicide investigations across Milwaukee in a 24hour period since
Wednesday morning.
The incidents, which were reported on Milwaukee's north, west, northwest and south sides, are unconnected, police said. No arrests had been announced as of Thursday.
In one instance, four elderly people were shot on the city's north side, with an 82-year-old woman dying from her injuries. As police investigated, a nearby home connected to the suspect started on fire. In another incident, a 36-year-old woman was found dead inside a burning home, and her death is being investigated as a homicide.
Two other shootings also took the lives of two men, ages 34 and 47.
The four homicides bring Milwaukee's total to 150 on the year, compared with 112 as of the same date in 2021, when the city broke its homicide record for the second year in a row.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or use the P3 Tips app.
Here is a timeline of the events:
6:55 a.m. Wednesday
Police were called to the 2100 block of West Pierce Street, near Mitchell Park on the city's south side, for a report of a shooting. A 34-year-old man later died from gunshot wounds at a hospital, according to police and the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office.
The circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation and police seek an unknown shooter.
9:20 p.m. Wednesday
Police were called to the 2600 block of North 22nd Street in the Amani neighborhood on the north side. Police said a shooting killed an 82year-old woman and injured three other people, ages 88, 85 and 65.
Police did not detail what led up to the shooting but said a suspect is sought. As police investigated at the scene, a fire started in a nearby home that is “associated” with the suspect, police said.
First responders believed an armed suspect may have been inside the home during the fire, which created difficult circumstances for firefighters to battle the blaze. Deputy Fire Chief Erich Roden said the fire was put out within a halfhour.
Nobody was found inside the home afterward, he said.
4:12 a.m. Thursday
Fire personnel were sent to the 3700 block of North 83rd Street on the far west side for a report of a vehicle fire. By the time personnel arrived, the fire spread to a garage and a home, Roden said.
After an hour of fighting the fire, personnel discovered the body of a 36-year-old woman, who died from gunshot injuries, police said.
The unknown shooter is being sought.
6:56 a.m. Thursday
Police were called to the 6100 block of West Port Avenue in the Bradley Estates neighborhood on the northwest side. A 47-year-old man died from gunshot injuries.
Police did not release any information about the circumstances of the shooting and said a suspect has not been identified.