Milwaukee death, arson investigation; pregnant woman identified
Pregnant woman found dead in Milwaukee house fire
A pregnant woman was found dead inside a Milwaukee home Monday night, Jan. 5, launching a death and arson investigation that police say also claimed the life of her unborn child.
MILWAUKEE - A pregnant woman was found dead inside a Milwaukee home Monday night, Jan. 5, launching a death and arson investigation that police say also claimed the life of her unborn child.
26th and Hadley
What we know:
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, a 21-year-old man "intentionally brandished" a gun and then started a house on fire near 26th and Hadley. It happened around 11:25 p.m.
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MPD said a 22-year-old was found inside the home and pronounced dead despite life-saving attempts.
Home near 26th and Hadley
Police arrested the 21-year-old man for arson and said criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.
What we don't know:
The 22-year-old's cause of death has not been determined. The case remains under investigation.
Family identifies victim
What they're saying:
Family identified the 22-year-old victim as Gladys Johnson and said she was five months pregnant. Family members say the suspect is the father of the couple’s 3-year-old daughter and Johnson’s unborn son.
Michelle Johnson said she found her daughter unresponsive inside the home.
"He was blocking the door like, ‘No, you not getting in here.’ Then I turned around and that’s when he pointed the gun at my daughter Kayla," said Johnson.
She said she called 911 and soon smelled smoke in the kitchen.
"I look around and he [was] running out the back door," Johnson said. "I got the fire off the bed and off the windows, but I wouldn’t leave my daughter. Only thing I wanted was for my daughter not to burn."
Johnson said she believes her daughter was shot before the fire, though police have not confirmed that. The cause of death remains under investigation.
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"I said grab her too, put her to the hallways and that’s when they seen the blood and everything when they moved her off the bed," she said.
The loss has reopened deep wounds for Johnson, who said she lost two children in a fire more than three decades ago.
"Y’all just don’t know how this hits me," she said.
The victim’s aunt, Josie Johnson-Smith, said the family is searching for answers.
"I can’t explain it," Johnson-Smith said. "I just want to ask him why. Why would you take her life like that and you knowing she having a baby by you? If a person don’t want to be with you, just walk away."
Support for the family
What you can do:
Johnson's mother started a GoFundMe online fundraiser to help with funeral expenses.
The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department released information about its investigation.