Victoria Truss, 34, was killed in a violent early-morning domestic incident on July 3, 2025, at the Shorewood home where she had been living near North Bartlett Avenue and East Wood Place in Milwaukee County. Authorities were called shortly before 3 a.m. after another resident of the building was shot. Truss was found outside the residence with multiple gunshot wounds to her arms, chest and neck and was pronounced dead at the scene; the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office classified her death as a homicide.

Investigators identified 34-year-old Michael Griffin Jr. as the man responsible. Court and search-warrant records say Griffin, described by family and records as Truss’s boyfriend or ex-boyfriend, broke into the building shortly before the killing and shot the landlord multiple times. Griffin fled before police arrived; responding officers were later fired on, a squad car was struck and one officer was wounded but protected by a ballistic vest. More than six hours later officers located Griffin, a pursuit ensued and a prolonged exchange of gunfire ended with Griffin found dead in his vehicle.

Truss’s family said she had endured years of domestic violence. Records show earlier referrals and arrests involving Griffin dating back to 2013, 2020 and 2021 did not result in prosecution. The killing left a community mourning; Truss is remembered as a mother who left behind a teenage son.