A 28-year-old Milwaukee man wanted in connection with a homicide died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a car chase Tuesday evening, according to police.
The man who died, identified as Elijah Combs, was the primary suspect in the death of 26-year-old Aliyah Perez, who was killed on Sunday in the 5300 block of South 26th Street, police confirmed.
Perez is the niece of Common Council President José G. Pérez.
Combs shot at police during Tuesday’s chase, which ended on the 4800 block of South 13th Street when he died by suicide, according to police.
Officers did not fire their guns and were not injured by Comb’s gunfire.
In a statement Monday following the death of his niece, Pérez asked for privacy.
“My family has experienced an immense tragedy within the past 24 hours that has left us saddened beyond words,” Pérez said in the statement. “I ask the news media and the public to please allow me and my family members space and privacy at this time.”
He was excused from Tuesday’s Common Council meeting, where Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic presided and held a moment of silence for Pérez’s family.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson tweeted Tuesday, “I have offered my deepest condolences to President Perez. My heart goes out to his entire family. Jose 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.”