A Family’s Quest

It was a cold gloomy evening when the protest began on Dec. 19, 2014. It started at Red Arrow Park. Many people gathered, bundled up in their coats, hats, gloves and scarves. “No Justice, No Peace!” read the signs people held above their heads as they walked toward Interstate-43.

“Shut it down! Shut it down!” they chanted while walking up the exit ramps of the highway.

becoming louder as they got closer. Police jumped out of their cars and began to arrest people. Seventy-three people were arrested that Friday evening, during only one of many protests around the city to memorialize a tragedy that took place a few months before: The death of Dontre Hamilton.

Hamilton’s death has led the city of Milwaukee to become more deeply involved in what some call the new civil right movement against police brutality. Like many other shootings of black men by police across the United States, Hamilton’s death has sparked protests, rallies and occupations across the city since it occurred last year.

Hamilton, 31 was shot and killed by Milwaukee police officer Christopher Manney on April 30, 2014 at Red Arrow Park downtown, near the Starbucks on Water Street. Hamilton, who was unarmed, was shot 14 times.

“If you met Dontre, I think you would take him as, like, a kind person,” said his brother, Nate Hamilton. “He was quiet. He really didn’t say much to you. You would have to really interact with him, but to everybody he comes off as a shy individual. Kind of self-preserved.”

Hamilton was diagnosed schizophrenic but did not take medication for the disorder. His past record consisted nonviolent crimes including forgery, disorderly conduct and driving without a license. He also had attempted suicide in the past, according to police reports.

The incident that resulted in Hamilton’s death began with a couple of Starbucks employees who called police to complain that he was sleeping in the park.

One of the workers told investigators she was only following policy: “If we are uncertain or uncomfortable around a sleeping individual, we are to call a non-emergency line to prevent any potential conflict.”

Manney was the area’s beat cop and had a personal relationship with the workers at the Starbucks. Nate Hamilton believes this played a big part in the tragedy.

Two officers had already come to the park and determined that Hamilton was doing nothing wrong before Manney showed up. He later said he did not know about the other two officers when he went to investigate the situation.

“I believe that the personal relationship that was built made him feel compelled to go to Starbucks even after they told him it was clear,” Nate Hamilton said.

According to what Manney later told authorities, here is what happened:

Manney saw Hamilton lying on his back on the ground in the park, his eyes closed and his leg shaking. Planning to talk to the employees who made the call before approaching Hamilton, he walked toward the Starbucks service counter, which was in a trailer due to construction. Manney did not recognize Hamilton as anyone he had come across before. As Manney got closer, Hamilton’s eyes quickly opened wide and stared directly at him. Manney was about three feet away from Hamilton’s head.

From Hamilton’s stare, Manney assumed Hamilton was either under the influence of drugs or suffering from a mental disorder. Manney asked Hamilton to stand up and he did.

Manney began to pat Hamilton down. He touched his chest area and upon touching Hamilton’s waistband, he felt a hard rod-shaped object. He felt a second hard object in Hamilton’s pocket. Hamilton then put his arms down and trapped Manney’s arms against his body. Manney spun around, freeing himself from Hamilton’s hold.

Manney looked down and saw Hamilton’s hand in a fist and tried to create distance, but Hamilton lunged at him and tried to hit him.

Manney stated that Hamilton did make contact with the right side of his head after pulling the officer toward him.

“He didn’t pick a fight, because we weren’t raised to pick a fight. We were raised to protect ourselves,” Nate Hamilton said.
Manney, trying not to lose control of the situation, pulled out his baton and gave Hamilton verbal warnings. Hamilton took the baton and struck him in the neck, the officer said.

Many witnesses saw Hamilton with the baton but did not see him hit Manney, according to their statements.

Manney said he tried to hit the emergency button on is radio but because of the struggle, was not able to reach it. Only when he felt he was out of options did he draw his gun, hoping that it would make Hamilton stop.

“Stop, it ain’t worth it!” Manney said.

Manney told investigators he felt Hamilton continued to be a threat so he fired his gun. He told investigators it had no effect on Hamilton, so he continued to fire. Hamilton fell forward, and Manney continued to fire until Hamilton was completely on the ground. Some witnesses said Manney continued to shoot Hamilton even after he was on the ground.

Hamilton had no weapons, only two keys on a ring, a lighter, three pens, some papers and a pack of gum in his pockets.
Investigators contacted the family early the next morning.

“It was 12 in the morning when the detectives called (my mom), and my oldest brother had gone to meet with her, and that’s when they found out,” Nate Hamilton said. “I didn’t find out until the next morning after I woke up.”

Dontre was shot around 3:30 p.m. the previous afternoon. Police said they did not have any way of identifying Hamilton except his tattoos; Nate Hamiton said Dontre had his wallet with him that day and his driver’s license was inside.

Maria Hamilton, Dontre’s and Nate’s mother, buried her son in the far northwest corner of Graceland Cemetery on North 43rd St. in Milwaukee on her birthday.

Although the tragedy was hard to accept, it transformed the family.

“Dontre’s death cannot go in vain,” Nate Hamilton said.

They began to reach out to the community for help and support.

Before Dontre’s death, the Hamiltons were not activists and they did not plan on becoming activists.

“Doors just opened up as we started walking forward and the relationship with the community and our family stared to get strong and people were willing to support us,” Nate Hamilton said.

The Hamilton family wants to help strengthen Milwaukee’s communities by continuing to address problems such as racial profiling and injustice. They are also involved with protests and movements around the nation, supporting others the way they were supported here in Milwaukee, to let them know that they are not alone. What is happening is not acceptable and needs to come to an end, Nate Hamilton said.

Manney was fired from the police department on October 12, 2014. He was not criminally charged. He was fired because did not follow department procedures for dealing with emotionally disturbed people, according to reports.

“That’s not good enough for Dontre; it won’t be good enough until they prosecute him. We at least want to see indictment,” Nate Hamilton said.

Dontre’s brother believes someone from outside Milwaukee needs to take the responsibility of charging Manney, someone without a personal relationship with the police department. Investigators did not inspect the case as closely as they should have, in Nate Hamilton’s view, and he is hoping someone at the federal level will do so.

The U.S. Attorney’s office has said a federal review is pending.

The Hamiltons also are looking into filing a civil suit against the city. They are hoping justice will be served.
Dontre Hamilton will not be forgotten.

“I’m honored to be his brother,” Nate Hamilton said. “I’m still hurt, but I’m honored.”