Two dead in apparent murder-suicide on Milwaukee's south side



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating an apparent murder-suicide that happened inside a residence in the 1600 block of S. 21st Street in the early morning hours of December 19th.

Police say a 26-year-old Milwaukee man shot his 26-year-old live-in girlfriend, killing her, before taking his own life.

Authorities say the incident happened just blocks from where Alderman Bob Donovan has breakfast every morning.

"A domestic violence situation. A sad reality is we've got three kids that are without their parents," said Donovan. "Very chilling and what can you say? It's a hell of a way to enter the holiday season."

Neighbors say the family moved into the bottom part of the home just a couple months ago and although many didn't know them well, they are heartbroken for the three small children left behind.

"Unbelievable, unbelievable. It's just horrible, right before Christmas," said neighbor Sandra Gomez. "This is horrible. This is really horrible."

A small group gathered near the home Thursday night to light candles and remember the two lives that were lost in the early morning hours.

"I don't know them personally, this is just something I have to do. This is the right thing to do," said Gomez.

Those living upstairs say a noise jolted them awake shortly before police surrounded the home.

"It didn't sound like gunshots to us. It sounded like someone took a hammer to a pipe," said neighbor Vanessa Aaron. "I'm actually still shocked. This is a case, you didn't know anything was going on."

Neighbors say police found the three young children sitting on the front step of the home early Thursday morning. The identities of the victim and suspect will be released after family notifications are made.