MILWAUKEE — A relative shot and killed a woman and her girlfriend on Milwaukee’s north side Saturday night, family told TMJ4 News.
Police said that it happened about 8:26 p.m. near the intersection of N. 24th Place and Auer.
Authorities have declined to release the names of the victims, however family identified them as 31-year-old Meshala Bell-Pabai and her 30-year-old girlfriend.
A 32-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident, according to authorities. Family told TMJ4 he’s related to Meshala, who they call Shala.
The incident has left the family torn.
Brittany McGown, known as Bree, doesn’t know how to feel about the loss of her cousin, Shala.
“She was always telling me she love me. I knew it was real. I know she know I loved her back,” Bree said. “I’m numb to the situation. I still don’t think it’s real.”
Bree said the situation is all the more difficult to bear after learning another member of her family is responsible.
“I lost two cousins. One to the jail and one by him,” she said.
Shala just moved back to Milwaukee from Florida, hoping to give her daughter a better life.
“All she lived for really was for her daughter and for her family,” Bree said.
Family tells me Meshala Bell-Pabai (known as Shala) was shot and killed along with Shala’s girlfriend Saturday night by 24th and Auer. @MilwaukeePolice say they arrested a 32-year-old man. Family tells me he’s related to Shala. Shala leaves behind a daughter. @tmj4 pic.twitter.com/ySMX9zFLh3
— Lauren Linder (@lauren_linder) February 23, 2020
Dana Williamson lives a couple of houses from the scene of the shooting. “I heard them say to the victim, ‘please keep breathing for us, keep breathing’ and that was when I started to pray,” Dana said.
She said it isn’t the first time this happened in her neighborhood, and is hoping for change.
“Even though we have to keep living, somewhere down the line we have to say, ‘hey what can we do?’” she said.
However, right now Bree remains hurt and confused, as she seeks for answers.
“I’m heartbroken from both sides,” Bree said.
Police are still investigating what led up to the shooting. If you have any information about what happened call Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7360 or Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS.
