TThe death of a black man who was detained by four security guards outside a Milwaukee hotel last week sparked outrage in the city — with some calling the altercation “reminiscent of the murder of George Floyd.”
Dvontaye Mitchell, 43, went to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Milwaukee on June 30. According to local authorities, after a tense altercation with security guards allegedly turned physical, Mitchell was forcibly escorted outside and restrained until police arrived. But when they arrived, Mitchell was found unconscious and pronounced dead at the scene.
Shocking cellphone footage of Mitchell arrested by security guards circulated on social media and was highlighted by prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who was hired by Mitchell’s family.
Here’s what you should know about the incident.
What the police are saying
In an email statement to TIME, the Milwaukee Police Department said it was investigating a death that occurred at a business in the 300 block of W. Kilbourne Avenue, declining to confirm the identity of the deceased individual and the business.
Police shared a statement that the individual allegedly entered the business, “caused a disturbance” and “argued with security guards as they escorted the individual out.”
Security detained the individual until police arrived at the scene, according to the release. When officers arrived, they discovered the individual was unresponsive and after performing life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead, police said.
Police refused to clarify the nature of the disturbances that led to the incident. They said the cause of death is still under investigation, but added that it is not currently a criminal investigation. The incident is being reviewed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, police said. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the cause of death.
What the video shows
A video taken by a witness show Mitchell being pinned to the ground by four security guards. In the video, at least one of the guards can be seen kneeling on Mitchell’s back, while another can be seen holding his legs. A guard can be seen forcibly restraining Mitchell.
Mitchell can be heard screaming and saying “please” and “help” several times in the video, and a guard can be heard yelling at him to “stay down.”
At one point in the video, one of the guards says to the person filming, “This is what happens when you go into the women’s bathroom!”
See more information: Everything we know about the police murder of double amputee Anthony Lowe
Mitchell’s family calls for charges against security guards
Crump’s law firm said in a Press release on Wednesday that Mitchell’s mother believes her son was suffering from a mental health episode. Crump said in the press release that the circumstances surrounding Mitchell’s death “are disturbing and, as described by a witness, reminiscent of the murder of George Floyd.”
“It is deeply concerning that we have lost another Black man in an encounter with security personnel, raising serious concerns about the use of force, lack of accountability and lack of mental health considerations,” Crump said in the statement.
Crump held one Press conference outside the Milwaukee hotel on Monday, saying that the “excessive force” used by security guards led to the “unarmed” death of Mitchell and calls for charges to be laid against the security guards involved in the incident. Dozens of people stood outside the hotel with Crump, some holding signs that read “Justice for Dvontaye.”
“Everyone in America, after George Floyd, should have trained their employees, especially security personnel, not to put their knees on people’s backs and necks,” Crump said during the press conference. “And when people are having trouble breathing, don’t keep them lying down.”
Security guards suspended while investigation is ongoing
A Hyatt spokesperson said in an emailed statement that Aimbridge Hospitality operates the Milwaukee hotel and is responsible for managing the hotel’s employees. The spokesperson said Hyatt understands that Aimbridge Hospitality is “still completing its investigation and has, to date, suspended its employees involved in the incident.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Dvontaye Mitchell, all those who knew and loved him, and the Milwaukee community in light of this tragedy,” the spokesperson said. “As the investigation continues, Hyatt is fully committed to supporting efforts to help ensure accountability for the circumstances leading to Dvontaye Mitchell’s death.”
A spokesperson for Aimbridge Hospitality said in an emailed statement that they also offered their condolences to Mitchell’s family and loved ones.
“We continue to do everything we can to support authorities’ ongoing investigation into this incident and have no further comment at this time,” the spokesperson said. “We remain committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all hotel guests and associates.”
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This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
