Updated as of 7/11/2024 at 12:13 p.m. ET:
A Black man begging for his life as hotel security holds him down only to die later is serving as an eerie reminder of an event that brought the world together amid the COVID-19 pandemic four years ago.
Although the security allegedly involved in the death of Mitchell haven’t faced any legal consequences, they have been fired from the hotel.
In a statement to CBS News, Ambridge Hospitality stated, “We are saddened and shocked by what happened to Dvontaye Mitchell at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.”
They added, “The conduct we saw from several associates on June 30 violated our policies and procedures and does not reflect our values as an organization or the behaviors we expect from our associates. Following review of their actions, their employment has been terminated. We will continue our independent investigation and do everything we can to support law enforcement with their investigation into this tragic incident.”
Last week, a video showing 43-year-old Dvontaye Mitchell’s final moments was released to the public. It resembles the infamous death of George Floyd that sparked protests across the world in the summer of 2020.
Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the incident occurred late in the afternoon on March 24, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Milwaukee. Mitchell was allegedly involved in a fight after he was accused of walking in the women’s bathroom.
When witnesses arrived at the scene, Mitchell was being held down by four security guards, each of them with their knees on his back. One person at the scene was allegedly heard screaming, “This is what happens when you go in the women’s bathroom.”
More from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
At times, Mitchell can be heard screaming and saying “please” as a guard shouts for him to ”stay down.” Moore said one security guard appeared to be striking Mitchell during it.
Moore said he was on the scene between seven and 10 minutes before police arrived.
“When the police came, that’s when they started getting off of him and police … started checking for a pulse,” he said. “He checked a neck first then he checked an arm and then his neck again and then he turned him over and his body was limp.”
During a press conference on Wednesday, prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump and other members of the legal team for Mitchell’s family shared that they saw portions of footage from a witness and hotel security that also showed Mitchell being thrown, beaten, and kicked while on the ground.
This footage has not been released to the public.
William Sulton, another attorney representing the family, stated during the conference, “This was outrageous and one of the most disgusting things that I’ve seen in 15 years of practice as an attorney.”
Although the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the preliminary cause of Mitchell’s death to be a homicide, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is not considering it a criminal investigation and is instead looking for the cause of death.