Milwaukee Hotel Guards Pin Black Man Down Resulting In Death, Video Reveals
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The Milwaukee police are investigating the death of a Black man, Dvontaye Mitchell, who was pinned to the ground by hotel security guards; the incident has been compared to George Floyd’s 2020 murder. Footage shows the guards restraining Mitchell, who was reportedly suffering from mental health issues, outside the Hyatt Regency hotel. Milwaukee police have not confirmed whether they are still collecting witness accounts, no one has been charged in relation to Mitchell’s death, and Aimbridge Hospitality, which operates the hotel, states their investigation into Mitchell’s death is ongoing.
Milwaukee Police Investigate Death of Black Man at Hyatt Hotel
Milwaukee authorities have launched an investigation into the death of a Black man, Dvontaye Mitchell, which has sparked comparisons to George Floyd’s 2020 killing. Video footage reveals hotel security guards pinning him to the ground while he pleads for aid.
According to a witness video, Mitchell, 43, can be seen on the ground outside the Hyatt Regency hotel, restrained by security guards. He can be heard apologizing amidst grunts of pain.
Mitchell’s mother revealed her son had mental health issues. Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, representing Mitchell’s family, mentioned a witness account of a guard hitting Mitchell in the head. No comment has been made on this by the police.
Crump has shared that additional witnesses have come forward and stated that the involved security personnel must be held accountable. The testimonies of two witnesses will be presented in a news conference.
The Milwaukee police have not responded to queries about their ongoing collection of witness accounts. Crump has urged the hotel to identify the involved security personnel and release its video footage of the incident.
A spokesperson for Hyatt expressed condolences to Mitchell’s family and Milwaukee city. The hotel, managed by Texas-based Aimbridge Hospitality, has their employees under investigation and those involved have been suspended.
Aimbridge Hospitality expressed support for the ongoing investigation and its commitment to providing a safe environment for all hotel guests and employees.
In a statement, Crump drew parallels between Mitchell’s death and that of George Floyd, asserting that preventing excessive force against unarmed Black people requires law enforcement action. Crump had previously represented Floyd’s family in a lawsuit.
As of now, no charges have been filed in connection with Mitchell’s death. The investigation is ongoing and the Milwaukee district attorney’s office has stated that there is no timeline for a charging decision.
The police were reportedly called to the Hyatt due to a disturbance caused by Mitchell. Upon arrival, officers found him unresponsive and life-saving measures were unsuccessful.
Details surrounding the event before or after the witness videos were taken remain unclear. Crump emphasized that even if Mitchell had entered a women’s restroom, as suggested, it shouldn’t have led to his death.
Mitchell, a father of two, had been grappling with mental health issues in recent years, possibly suffering from a mental health episode at the hotel, his mother, Brenda Giles, stated. She is seeking justice for her son and calling for the release of the hotel’s video footage.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office cited the preliminary cause of Mitchell’s death as homicide, as per a report. However, the office defines homicide as “death ‘at the hands of another’ regardless of intent”. The medical examiner’s office has yet to comment on the case.
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