Sheriff Lucas says 'no ill intent' from man who placed controversial photos in Riverside Park
Updated: 3:38 p.m. on June 26, 2020
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The photos of 6 Black Americans who died after interactions with law enforcement and other Americans were discovered hanging from nooses off a tree inside Riverside Park on June 20.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said Monday, June 22 it was conducting an investigation into the incident. Friday, they held a news conference with an update on that investigation. There, Sheriff Earnell Lucas told us that the case was closed and they found the man responsible for those placards-but that all of this has been a big misunderstanding.
Lucas said this investigation stemmed from two incidents that happened last week-one at Riverside Park, and another at Atwater Park where photos of black people who were killed by law enforcement and or private citizens were found hanging by nooses off of trees.
The photos were laminated and had information describing the incident that led to each victim’s death.
An investigation was launched and Sheriff Lucas says they found the 53-year-old black man from Milwaukee responsible for the placards.
He said it was never his intention to offend or hurt people; he simply wanted to start a conversation about black and brown people dying in our country, and teach his son about the lessons of America’s dark past.
Sheriff Lucas saying as law enforcement officers-they’re ready and willing to participate in that conversation.
“We are a society made up of many colors and races. And the voices that have been heard for over the last 30 days now are calling for a respect for humanity and race in a way this country has never seen before,” said Sheriff Earnell Lucas. “Many are calling for a change in the way we do business and law enforcement. And it’s a conversation that we’re willing to have.”
Sheriff Lucas says he personally spoke with that man about the misunderstanding and hopes that this misunderstanding can serve as an example for the need to spark meaningful conversations about race in our country through healthy and meaningful dialogue.
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Published: 9:04 a.m. on June 22, 2020
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office is investigating after six laminated cards with photographs of Black men and women who have been killed in encounters with law enforcement or private citizens were found attached with nooses to a tree in Riverside Park Saturday, June 20.
Authorities say the cards contained photos of the men and women as well as information describing each incident.
MCSO says an investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee County Dispatch at 414-278-4788.