WEST BEND, WI — West Bend police say four people, including two children, were found dead inside a home Saturday, along with a dog, after officers were called to the residence shortly before noon. First responders also took another girl to a hospital.
Investigators have not publicly identified the dead or said exactly how they died. Sources familiar with the case told WISN 12 News that the suspect among the dead was a retired Milwaukee police officer, but police have not confirmed that detail.
Police respond to East Washington Street just before noon
Officers were sent to a home on East Washington Street just before midday, according to West Bend police. The call led emergency crews to a scene that quickly turned into a death investigation involving multiple people inside the residence.
Lieutenant Brian McAndrews said everyone in the home was connected to one another, though police have not outlined those relationships in detail. The department has not released the names of the people found dead or the child who was taken to the hospital.
The presence of a dog among the dead adds to the unusual nature of the scene, but officials have not said whether the animal’s death is part of the criminal investigation or tied to the same events that killed the people in the home.
Investigators recover a gun but stop short of calling it a murder-suicide
West Bend police said officers recovered a gun from inside the house that they believe was involved in the incident. Even so, police would not say whether they believe the case was a murder-suicide.
That caution leaves the circumstances of the deaths open as detectives work through evidence and witness information. No additional details about the weapon, the condition of the scene, or the timeline of events have been released.
Because the department has not confirmed the manner of death, officials have not publicly described a motive. For now, the investigation remains focused on determining what happened inside the home and how the firearm fits into those deaths.
Sources point to a retired Milwaukee police officer as the suspect
WISN 12 News reported that sources identified the suspect among the dead as a retired Milwaukee police officer. The station said it was not naming that person until the West Bend Police Department confirms the identity.
That detail has not been officially verified by investigators, and police have not said whether the person died by suicide, was shot by someone else, or died in another way. The department’s public statements have remained limited to the fact that a gun was recovered and that the deaths are under review.
With no official identification released, the case remains centered on the facts police have confirmed and the information investigators are still checking. Authorities have not said whether there are any other suspects.
A second girl was taken to the hospital after the scene was discovered
First responders took another girl from the home to the hospital after arriving at the scene. Police have not said how old she is, what her condition is, or whether she was injured physically during the incident.
Authorities also have not explained the circumstances that led to her transport, including whether she was present during the deaths or found separately inside the home. For now, her role in the event has not been publicly defined beyond police confirming that she was connected to the people in the house.
The lack of detail underscores how early the investigation remains. Officials have not described whether she is related to the victims or what information she may be able to provide about what happened.
Police ask the public for help as the investigation continues
West Bend police are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the department at 262-335-5000. Investigators have not said whether they are looking for witnesses, surveillance video, or other evidence tied to the home on East Washington Street.
Because the case involves deaths inside a family-connected household, officials have not released broader safety warnings for the neighborhood. The department’s public focus remains on building the timeline and confirming the identities of everyone involved.
WISN 12 News also provided the National Domestic Violence Hotline information for people in need of help: 800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use the online chat service. The homicide investigation remains active and developing.
