On the evening of December 2, 2023, a quiet neighborhood in West Allis, Wisconsin, became the scene of a tragic event that ended the lives of 50-year-old Eric Johnson and his 75-year-old mother, Stephanie Perla. Police were called to a home near 57th and Walker for a welfare check around 6:30 p.m. and discovered both Johnson, a male, and Perla with fatal gunshot wounds.
Initial reports from law enforcement indicated there was no ongoing threat to the public, and the investigation soon
focused on the circumstances within the home. It was later revealed that authorities were treating the case as a murder-suicide. Neighbors reported that they were not entirely surprised to see police at the residence, alluding to a history of disturbances at the house.
As the investigation unfolded, a portrait of Eric Johnson's struggles with mental health emerged. The West Allis Police Department was familiar with Johnson, having responded to multiple calls at the home over the years. Court records showed a history of charges against Johnson, including disorderly conduct and domestic violence accusations. In one instance, he was accused of pushing his mother to the ground as she tried to shovel snow at his home. However, these cases were ultimately dismissed after Johnson was found incompetent to stand trial.
In the weeks leading up to the fatal shooting, there had been a concerted effort to get Johnson psychiatric help. The Deputy Police Chief of West Allis stated that the police department, in conjunction with the city and the district attorney's office, had attempted to have Johnson committed for psychiatric care. Despite these efforts, he was released from custody just three weeks before the incident. The Deputy Chief publicly lamented the tragedy, stating that the deaths "could have been prevented" and were the "consequences of a mental health system that has failed the deceased individual, his family, and his neighbors." Milwaukee County's Behavioral Health division noted that Wisconsin law prevents them from holding an individual for more than 72 hours without their consent. An obituary for Eric Johnson confirmed his relationship with Stephanie Perla and suggested that memorial contributions be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
