Police: 6 found dead in home on Milwaukee's north side were killed by gunfire

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A horrific discovery on Milwaukee's north side. Six people were found dead inside a home near 21st and Wright on Sunday, Jan. 23, and police are calling it a homicide investigation. 

Police on Monday, Jan. 24, said the victims -- five men and one woman -- appeared to have died by gunfire. 

"The motive and the information regarding any involved suspects is not known to us right now," said Assistant Chief Paul Formolo, with the Milwaukee Police Department.

District three police officers were called by concerned residents to do a welfare check when the victims were found.

Family identified the woman killed as 49-year-old Michelle Harris, along with her husband, Mike Williams. They were trying to reach Michelle for days and she never answered the phone. 

"It takes a special kind of evil to just go in and just snuff away six lives," said Tiffany Whittington, Michelle's cousin. 

"My aunt sent a few people over, which was her son and her niece, to check on her. When they got there they said they immediately, just the smell overcame them, and the neighbors said that they had been smelling it for a couple days," said Whittington. 

Whittington says this was not the first time something happened at the home. 

"A few days prior, we found out that the house had been shot up in a drive-by and there were bullet holes outside the house and you know, the windows...she was really scared," said Whittington. 

Michelle leaves behind three sons and one daughter. They family is torn apart and struggling to understand who would do this. 

"We don't know about -- who did the drive-by. We don't know why, we don't know who they were looking for, what I can tell you is that it wasn't her," Whittington said. 

Michelle is described as someone who went out of her way to help others. Her bright light, now dimmed. 

"She's always been there. If I say I got a birthday party coming up, she's coming. If anything happens, she's on the way. She didn't deserve this," Whittington said. 

The motive is still unclear. 

Milwaukee police are still looking for the suspect(s) responsible for this crime. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Milwaukee Police Department at (414) 935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips App.