D’Vontaye Mitchell was in a downtown Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee, WI when police say he began to cause a disturbance. Minutes after Mitchell was seen running through the hotel lobby “in what appears to be a frantic manner,” according to Fox News, he was dead.
The incident is drawing similarities to George Floyd’s 2020 murder, when Derek Chauvin killed Floyd after pinning him to the ground for over eight minutes. On June 30, Mitchell died similarly: being pinned to the pavement and assaulted by four hotel staff members.
Hotel security guards Brandon Turner and Todd Erickson; front desk worker Devin Johnson-Carson; and bellhop Herbert Williamson have all been charged with Mitchell’s murder. Benjamin Crump, the attorney for Mitchell’s family, called the charges “a significant step towards justice.”
A spokesperson for Aimbridge Hospitality told People in a statement, “Our hearts are with Mr. Mitchell’s family and loved ones as this case moves forward. We have cooperated fully with law enforcement in their investigation into this tragic incident and will continue to cooperate with the district attorney.”
In security footage shared by CNN, the four hotel workers are seen repeatedly kicking, punching, and beating the 43-year-old after dragging him out of the hotel and into the street. Two other hotel guests can be seen participating in the attack on Mitchell, but they have not been charged with any crime.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by Fox News, once Mitchell was held face down on the pavement, Erickson, Johnson-Carson, and Williamson all got on top of him. Mitchell tried to escape but was unsuccessful. Eventually, he stopped showing any signs of life as the staff held him down for over nine minutes.
A Facebook video taken from a bystander’s perspective shows Mitchell pinned down yelling “please” and “I’m sorry.” Erickson can be heard saying “stay down” and “stop fighting.”
An autopsy report released on Aug. 2 ruled Mitchell’s death a homicide caused by “restraint asphyxia and toxic effects of cocaine and methamphetamine,” per CNN. Since Mitchell’s killing, protests have erupted across the nation. If convicted, each of the suspected killers can receive up to 15 years in prison.