MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Fire Department said one person has died following a garage and house fire Thursday morning.
Family identified the victim as Nikia Rogers. Her family said she lived there with her boyfriend, who they claim is the suspect in the case.
The incident happened near 83rd and Vienna.
Police said the woman suffered gunshot wounds. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
Family and close friends say Nikia Rogers was killed. They fear this is yet another case of domestic violence in the community.
Family and friends said Rogers' boyfriend is a suspect in this incident. Milwaukee Police have not confirmed those details, only saying that police are still searching for suspect(s) and that the investigation is ongoing.
No arrests have been made and anyone with information is asked to call Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips App.
According to police, fire crews responded to reports of a fire just after 4 a.m. on Thursday.
The on-duty battalion fire chief said the fire was knocked down rapidly. Fire crews then discovered the body inside the home.
Neighbors in the area were shocked.
"I pull out of my garage at 3 o'clock exactly and it was still very quiet at that time," said Al Kitzman, who lives two doors down from Rogers and has owned his home for a decade. "I got the call from the neighbor lady that she was in my house because there was a fire at the house adjacent to theirs and they were afraid it would spread to theirs. It was quite the inferno, according to what she told me."
Investigators spent a majority of the day Thursday combing through the charred home, searching for answers as the investigation continues.
