Cameron Washington, a 21-year-old Milwaukee man, faces felony charges including arson, five counts of reckless endangerment, and pointing a firearm at others after allegedly setting a house fire on January 5, 2026, that killed his pregnant girlfriend, Gladys Johnson-Ball. The 22-year-old victim, five months pregnant and mother to their 3-year-old daughter, showed signs of trauma like bruising, a bloody nose, and petechiae when found unconscious in her bedroom.​
Incident Details
Family members noticed Johnson-Ball had been unseen all day, and Washington blocked access to her room, claiming she was sleeping and even pretending to talk to her without response. After an argument, he reportedly brandished a gun, prompting the family to flee; he then fled with a lighter in his pocket as smoke filled the home. Johnson-Ball’s mother carried her out, but she was pronounced dead at the scene, possibly hours earlier based on her body temperature.​
Charges and Court
Washington appeared in court on January 11, with bond set between $100,000 and $200,000 across reports; no homicide charges yet due to pending autopsy results on asphyxia and injuries. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 20, and conviction on all counts could mean over 50 years in prison. He remains in Milwaukee County Jail.​
