Suspect At Large After Woman Strangled In Cudahy: Police

CUDAHY, WI — Police continue to search for a suspect accused of strangling and repeatedly hitting a woman in the face with a gun Wednesday morning in Cudahy.

Police were called out to an apartment near Grange and Nicholson Avenues around 11 a.m. that day for a report of domestic violence. Police said a woman had to be brought to the hospital and a toddler was found uninjured, but the suspect fled the scene before authorites arrived.

According to police, the woman jumped from a second-story window to flee the apartment and her accused attacker. Her injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

Police said their suspect, 32-year-old Horactio L. Merril, is a convicted felon considered armed and dangerous. Authorities are still searching for Merril, police said in a news release posted to Facebook Friday morning.

When officers arrived at the apartment Wednesday they believed the suspect may have been inside, according to an earlier news release by police. Officers attempted negotiations before authorites entered the apartment and found the suspect was not there, police said.

Police also accused Merrill of being involved in an incident at the same location late Tuesday evening. Police said in that earlier incident, Merill made threats and pointed a firearm.

Cudahy police asked anyone with information to contact them at 414-769-2260.

Police from St. Francis, South Milwaukee and Oak Creek helped Cudahy police during the incident.