Brookfield homicide at Pepper Lane & Apple Tree
BROOKFIELD, Wis. - Police in Brookfield were called to Pepper Lane and Apple Tree Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 30 for a homicide. The shooter was later found dead at Orchard Lane Elementary School in New Berlin.
According to police, the female victim was shot and died at the scene despite life-saving efforts.
"The caller did find the female in the basement, saying she was bleeding. The call then disconnected," said police.
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Officers immediately began a search for the shooter, who was found dead at Orchard Lane Elementary School in New Berlin due to self-inflicted injuries, police said, identifying him as a Menomonee Falls man, 35.
Police said the two people involved in this were known to each other. On Friday, Sept. 1, police say the name of the suspect involved in this incident is Brian McAvoy. He is a 35-year-old man from Menomonee Falls. The victim was identified as Sierra Alvarez. She is a 34-year-old woman from Menomonee Falls. The suspect and the victim were in a relationship. Officials say it is unclear at this point if they were dating or officially married.
Pepper Lane & Apple Tree, Brookfield
"There was one call for service to this residence that links our suspect to it," said police.
Officers focused on that house in the Brookfield neighborhood when they responded around 3 p.m. The shooter was found dead a few hours later, around 5:30 p.m., at the school about two and a half miles away.
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Police issued this statement Thursday:
"The school was simply the location the suspect chose to commit acts of self-harm. We have no information to indicate the school was any sort of target or has any other association or significance related to the investigation into this matter."
On Wednesday, police called this a very difficult situation, saying their hearts go out to the victim's family.
"Someone had heard screaming, and then they heard gunshots," said Judy Dalton, who has lived in the neighborhood for 56 years.
Pepper Lane & Apple Tree, Brookfield
"It should not have happened," said Voula Katravas, neighbor. "It should not have happened. We're not a zoo here. We're humans. Talk. Don't kill each other. It's very sad."
Katravas said she heard commotion days before, not sure if it was connected to what happened Wednesday.
"Fighting and then run out of the house," said Katravas.
Police said Wednesday evening there was no further threat to the area, and they were not looking for anyone else in connection with this murder-suicide.
The home was empty Thursday; the curtains drawn. No one answered when FOX6 News stopped by.