Black Man Dies After Altercation with Security Guards Outside Milwaukee Hotel
ICARO Media Group
In a tragic incident reminiscent of the killing of George Floyd, a 43-year-old Black man named Dvontaye Mitchell passed away after being pinned to the ground by four security guards outside a hotel in Milwaukee. The disturbing incident, captured on video by a bystander, has prompted calls for a thorough investigation and demands for justice.
Mitchell had visited the downtown Hyatt Regency hotel on June 30 but became unresponsive when authorities arrived on the scene. Despite efforts to revive him, Mitchell was pronounced dead. The video footage shows Mitchell lying face down on the ground with multiple security guards holding him down. One guard can be seen kneeling on his back, while another struck him multiple times on the head with an object.
Throughout the distressing video, Mitchell can be heard grunting and pleading for help, apologizing for unknown actions. A guard yells at him to stay down, and when he notices being recorded, he makes a comment about going into the ladies' room. The exact circumstances leading up to the altercation remain unclear as officials have not provided details of the disturbance Mitchell is alleged to have caused.
Family members, including Mitchell's mother Brenda Giles, believe that her son was experiencing a mental health episode at the time of the incident. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Mitchell family, released a statement describing the circumstances as both disturbing and reminiscent of George Floyd's killing. Crump demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the actions of the security guards, emphasizing the need for accountability.
An initial examination by the Milwaukee County medical examiner classified Mitchell's death as a homicide, indicating that it occurred at the hands of another person. However, this classification does not automatically imply wrongdoing, and the final results are yet to be determined. The police, while investigating the cause of Mitchell's death, have stated that the case is not being treated as a criminal investigation.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office is also reviewing the incident, with no specific timeline for a charging decision. Meanwhile, the Hyatt hotel has suspended the employees involved in the incident, stating that they are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation led by Aimbridge Hospitality, the hotel's third-party operator.
Giles, visibly distraught, is calling for justice for her son. Speaking to a local news outlet, she expressed her frustration with the lack of charges in the case and her determination to bring accountability to those responsible. Giles was shocked by the state of Mitchell's body, describing visible injuries, particularly to his face.
As the investigation continues, Mitchell's death highlights once again the urgent need for accountability and transparency in cases involving the use of excessive force by security personnel. The calls for justice grow stronger, with Mitchell's grieving family and civil rights advocates vowing not to let this tragedy be ignored or forgotten.