Victim’s Family Asks Investigators For Info Pertaining To Milwaukee Police Shooting

A lawyer for the family of a Milwaukee man shot and killed by a police officer wants state officials to release more information about its probe of the death earlier this year.

Milwaukee Police Department officials said the officer involved in the shooting of Dontre Hamilton in April remains on administrative duty, pending results of the state investigation. Officials said that investigation is nearing completion.

A new state law calls for an independent agency to investigate shootings involving police officers. The state Division of Criminal Investigation, or DCI, has been leading the probe.

Milwaukee attorney Jonathan Safran helps represent Hamilton’s family, and said DCI officials have stopped responding to his inquiries.

“We’re quite concerned that there doesn’t seem to be any transparency,” he said. “There certainly doesn’t seem to be any willingness to, in our minds, see this case as being a priority when you’ve got a police shooting and killing.”

Safran said that he appreciates that investigations can take some time.

“Here we are again — two months — and we have no further information. Not even any identification of the police officer involved or any information as to whether he did suffer injuries that were alleged. And we just have concerns,” he said. “And we’re not being provided any information.”

A spokesperson with the state Justice Department declined an interview, but in a written statement, said DCI investigators have been keeping the Milwaukee County district attorney updated on the progress of the investigation and that the probe is nearing completion.

Officials said the incident, which occurred during an April 30 confrontation at a downtown park, took place in the middle of the day, and required interviews with dozens of possible witnesses.

DCI officials said Hamilton’s personal items have been considered evidence, but they will be returned as soon as possible.