First Anniversary Of Milwaukee Violence Observed

Dozens of people gathered in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park to observe the one year anniversary of the police killing of Sylville Smith that triggered two nights of violence. Sunday’s event included speakers, music, and the stuffing of backpacks filled with school supplies for neighborhood kids — and a “Justice for Sylville” banner was put up. It was billed as a “back to school” event exactly one year after former Milwaukee police officer Dominique Heaggan Brown chased and shot the 23-year-old Smith — and the officer was found not guilty of reckless homicide in late June. Heaggan Brown is scheduled to have a two week trial starting February 19th for a sexual assault one day after the shooting, and he faces a civil wrongful death suit in Smith’s death.