The U.S. Department of Justice has decided to look into the decision not to charge a white ex-officer in Milwaukee who fatally shot a black man.
Milwaukee District Attorney John Chisholm announced on Monday that he wouldn’t press charges against Christopher Manney, a former police officer, arguing that he acted in self-defense in the shooting death of Dontre Hamilton, who was found shot 14 times after a struggle in downtown Milwaukee back in April, according to Reuters.
The Justice Department will look into whether any federal civil rights laws were broken in the case. The decision had led to protests in Milwaukee, which resulted in 74 people being arrested on Friday after demonstrations extended onto a highway, snarling traffic. The protests are reminiscent of similar outcries over the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and Eric Garner in New York.
Hamilton’s brother said during a press conference that they were facing a “fight that we are going to endure,” and that it is time for them to “stay strong.” The family’s attorney publicly called for a federal investigation into the shooting.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett urged protesters to be peaceful and to not paint police officers with a broad brush.
Manney was fired from the police department on Oct. 15 by Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn, who said that while he acted without malice, he failed to follow policy when dealing with the mentally ill.
Manney said he got into a fight with Hamilton when he tried to apprehend him, prompting Hamilton to grab his baton and hit him, which in turn caused Manney to gun down Hamilton. Manney said he feared for his life when Hamilton had the baton.
