Milwaukee, WI
D’Vontaye Mitchell: Milwaukee hotel staff face murder charges in man's death
Four hotel employees who allegedly pinned a man to the ground after he behaved erratically in a Hyatt Regency lobby in the US state of Wisconsin are facing murder charges.
D’Vontaye Mitchell, 43, ran into a women’s bathroom before staff dragged him outside, beat him and held him face down on the ground for eight or nine minutes, according to court documents.
Mitchell was unresponsive when police arrived at the scene in Milwaukee on 30 June. He was later pronounced dead.
He died of “restraint asphyxia and toxic effects of cocaine and methamphetamine”, found a post-mortem examination that also noted he was morbidly obese.
Milwaukee County district attorney’s office issued arrest warrants on Tuesday for the four now-former employees at the hotel.
They are two security guards, Todd Alan Erickson, 60, and Brandon LaDaniel Turner, 35, who was off duty at the time of the incident; as well as Devin Johnson-Carson, 23, a front desk agent; and Herbert Williamson, 53, a door attendant, according to court documents.
If convicted, they each would face up to 15 years and nine months in prison.
The incident unfolded when Mitchell entered the hotel and began running around, attempting to hide in places.
He went into the gift shop, then a women’s bathroom, where he tried to lock the door. Mr Turner told police he heard women screaming in the toilet.
Video surveillance footage showed hotel workers forcing him out of the bathroom and dragging him outside through the hotel lobby.
Two of them repeatedly struck Mitchell and another kicked him, according to the court documents. They are apparently heard in a bystander’s mobile phone footage telling him to “stay down” and “stop fighting”.
Mr Erickson told investigators that Mitchell had tried to bite him.
Mitchell is heard saying he is sorry during the struggle, according to audio from a video taken by an onlooker.
One of the employees said Mitchell was having difficulty breathing and had been pleading for help, according to the charge-sheet.
Ben Crump, a lawyer representing the family, said: “Mitchell was in the midst of a mental health crisis and, instead of abiding by their duty to protect and serve, the security officers and other Hyatt staff used excessive force that inflicted injury resulting in death.”
Mitchell’s widow, Deasia Harmon, told reporters on Tuesday she was “grateful” for the charges.
“I just want everyone to be held accountable,” she said.
The company that runs the hotel, Aimbridge Hospitality, has previously said several employees were fired over Mitchell’s death.
Milwaukee Wave coach Marcio Leite 2025-26 team’s evolution in MASL
See first-year Milwaukee Wave head coach Marcio Leite discuss the roles of younger players and veterans as the 2025-26 MASL season begins.
The Milwaukee Wave had been in the awkward position of trying to sell tickets to the MASL championship series without knowing when it would actually host a game.
The questions were answered late April 19, when the San Diego Sockers beat the St. Louis Ambush in the other semifinal in overtime. Their series didn’t even start until four days after the Wave eliminated the Baltimore Blast with victories in a regulation Game 2 and knockout Game 3 at the UWM Panther Arena.
Now the finals are set for two of the most decorated teams in arena soccer.
The Wave will host Game 1 at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 and then the series will finish at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California, with Game 2 at 9:30 p.m. April 24 and a potential Game 3 at 9 p.m. April 27.
Three versions of the Sockers have totaled 16 championships in various indoor league with the latest iteration founded in 2009 owning six of those. The Wave has seven.
First-year Wave head coach Marcio Leite has won titles with both franchises.
MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on early Sunday morning on the 4900 block of W. Capitol Drive that left one person injured.
An 18-year-old sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
TMJ4
The police is currently looking for an unknown suspect at this time.
Those with information regarding the shooting are encouraged to contact the Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips to remain anonymous.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Police Department requested the public’s help to find 11-year-old Sir’Charles Bason, a critically missing boy who was last seen near Teutonia and Kiley at around 6:20 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.
Police described Bason as 4 feet, 5 inches tall with a slim build, brown eyes and black, low-cut hair. He was last seen wearing a gray jacket with green lines, dark-colored jeans, tan sandals and carrying gray Nike Jordan shoes.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
What you can do:
Anyone with information on Bason’s whereabouts is asked to call Milwaukee Police District 4 at 414-935-7242.
The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department released information.
-
Cleveland, OH5 minutes agoRabbi Leibel Alevsky, 86, AH | Anash.org
-
Austin, TX11 minutes agoAthena the owl: 2nd owlet discovered to be alive
-
Alabama17 minutes agoAlabama juvenile is charged with murder of missing 10-year-old girl found dead at a home
-
Alaska23 minutes agoU.S. Coast Guard announces homeporting of the first two Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska
-
Arizona29 minutes agoDust returns to Phoenix area after hazy weekend – KTAR.com
-
Arkansas35 minutes agoArkansas Storm Team Blog: 7th driest year on record to date
-
California41 minutes ago480 ducks find homes after an emergency rescue operation in Riverside County
-
Colorado47 minutes agoIs Elitch Gardens open? Your guide to Colorado amusement parks