'Huge tragedy:' City leaders express sympathy for Council Pres. Pérez following niece's shooting death

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- City leaders are mourning the death of the niece of Common Council President José Pérez after she was shot and killed over the weekend.

The Milwaukee Police Department said the incident happened on the 5300 block of South 26^th Street Sunday, Feb. 26 around 8:30 p.m

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as 26-year-old Aliyah Pérez. MPD said she suffered fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Council President Pérez was not at Tuesday's scheduled meeting for the legislative body.

The Common Council observed a moment of silence before the start of the meeting for Aliyah Pérez.

"We did have a moment of silence for our colleague and president Pérez and his family today," Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic told CBS 58. "They're going through a really tough time and the loss of a family member, so he has requested privacy so that they can have space to heal, and we do send all of our love and prayers their way."

Other council members also expressed sympathy for President Pérez and his family.

"A huge tragedy," Ald. Robert Bauman said in an interview Monday night. "I know Ald. Perez very, very well. He's a really decent guy, very committed to his family. Family first in all ways, shapes and forms in his life, and to hear that news was very devastating to me as well."

Mayor Cavalier Johnson also released a statement saying:

"I have offered my deepest condolences to the Council President. My heart goes out to his entire family.

José is a committed partner in our work to make Milwaukee safer, and that makes the murder of Aliyah even more tragic. I pray for both justice and peace."

As of Tuesday afternoon, Milwaukee police said no arrests had been made, but they were seeking a known suspect.