Family of man who died in Hyatt compares death to that of George Floyd
Passerby records video of security guards detaining a man outside a Hyatt in Milwaukee
A passerby filmed security guards detaining a man in front of a Hyatt in Milwaukee. The man died at the scene. The preliminary cause of death was homicide.
Courtesy of Shawn Moore
A video circulating on social media documenting the final moments of Dvontaye L. Mitchell’s life leaves his family with more questions than answers.
But everyone agrees on one thing: Mitchell was a loving brother and family member. And the manner in which he appears to have died is too similar to that of another black man who died four years ago after being held face down on the ground.
Mitchell, 43, died after being restrained by four security guards outside the Hyatt Regency hotel on Kilbourn Avenue. Milwaukee police described what they described as a disturbance and a subsequent fight as he was escorted out. According to a witness, the cause of the disturbance was Mitchell allegedly entering the women’s restroom.
“It’s like watching the video of George Floyd’s death,” Mitchell’s younger brother Darrell Giles told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday from the porch of his mother’s Milwaukee home. “Everything about it reminds me of George Floyd.”
A witness said there were at least 20 to 30 people nearby and that some were streaming or recording the scene live on Facebook.
“They treated him like he was nothing, like he was an animal,” said sister-in-law Candice Miller.
The Milwaukee County Coroner’s Office on Monday determined the cause of death was preliminarily homicide. Milwaukee police said Tuesday that Mitchell’s death was under investigation, the cause of death was under investigation, the coroner’s final report was pending and this was “not a criminal investigation.”
“Security detained the person until police arrived,” police said in an email on Tuesday. “Upon arrival, the person was unresponsive and despite life-saving measures, the 43-year-old was pronounced dead.”
The police did not want to answer any further questions about the incident and pointed out that the investigation was ongoing.
Mitchell’s family said Tuesday they have asked Milwaukee police for information about his death but have not received any updates on the circumstances of his death.
“They have to stop killing black men,” said his older sister, Nayisha Mitchell. “We will not stop until we get justice. We will not allow his death to be swept under the rug.”
The family said they did not know why Mitchell was at the Hyatt. They said he had been suffering from depression since his father died in 2016. The initial coroner’s report said Mitchell was homeless, but the family denied that.
Shawn Moore said he was on his way to a store when he heard shouting coming from the Hyatt. He went over to see what was going on. He was one of those who observed the event and recorded what they saw. Videos taken by Moore and others show Mitchell being restrained by four security guards who kneed him in various places on his back. Another video shows Milwaukee authorities attempting to resuscitate Mitchell.
At times, Mitchell can be heard screaming and saying “please” while a security guard yells at him to “stay down.” Moore said a security guard appeared to hit Mitchell during the incident.
Moore said he was on the scene between seven and ten minutes before police arrived.
“When the police arrived, they let go of him and started to feel his pulse,” he said. “He checked his neck first, then an arm and then his neck again and then he turned him over and his body was limp.”
Throughout the incident, Moore said, someone shouted, “This is what happens when you go to the ladies’ room.” The same person tried to get him and another person to stop recording, asking them if they were “okay with (Mitchell) trying to hurt us.”
Family members encourage anyone who witnessed Mitchell’s death to contact them via social media with photos or videos.
Two days after Mitchell’s death, his brother said he couldn’t stop crying. Moore said seeing Mitchell die affected his sleep. He wonders if he should have intervened more.
“I didn’t get much sleep. Looking back, I wish I had done more. I wish I had thought ahead that this could turn into a situation like the George Floyd case,” he said.
Jessica Van Egeren is a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach her at [email protected].
David Clarey is a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach him at [email protected].
How to watch The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio online for free
Weather expert reveals which flight you should never book in summer
Utah Hockey Club signs one-year contract with defenseman Ian Cole
About The Author
