Popular Milwaukee rapper and promoter 1 of 2 killed in Water Street shooting, 3 others injured
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Two people are dead and three others were sent to the hospital with injuries after a shooting outside a downtown nightclub in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 12.
Milwaukee police said Monday they had arrested a 24-year-old man in connection to the quintuple shooting, which happened near the entrance to ELMNT Lounge, near the intersection of N. Water Street and E. Michigan Street.
Friends and family identified 52-year-old Antwan "Tweezy" Hogans, a Milwaukee rapper, promoter and business owner as one of the men killed in the shooting, which happened shortly after midnight.
A 30-year-old, a 32-year-old, a 34-year-old and a 39-year-old were also shot. The 39-year-old died from their injuries, police confirmed Monday.
Outside Hogans' hookah store on the city's northwest side, there was a collection of photos, balloons and posterboards containing messages from those who knew the promoter, known originally as "Young Twan," and more recently as "OG Tweezy."
One of the message boards featured another one of Hogans' nicknames, "Mayor," a nod to how he seemed to know everyone in Milwaukee.
In addition to 'Young Twan' and 'OG Tweezy,' Antwan Hogans was also nicknamed 'Milwaukee's Mayor.'
Monday afternoon, two of Hogans' three children stopped by the memorial.
"He was always there for me. Every time I needed him, every time I called, he was on the way," Sasha Hogans, 16, said. "He always there for me my whole life. That was my father, my protector, my everything."
Juan Hogans, 20, said he noticed at a young age how people constantly came up to his dad whenever they were out in the city. He added his father always had high expectations for him.
"His dream was for me to be more than what he was, and it's a lot of pressure because he was real big in the city," Juan said. "I got no choice but to do it, just the legacy to live on, go on and make it happen."
Sasha Hogans said one of her most cherished memories was a trip to Disney World with her father, Antwan.
Juan and Sasha's mother, Candace Hogans, said she and Antwan divorced in 2020. However, she said they remained in touch and added she always felt like he was putting their children first.
"He could not deny his children of anything. He was also very loving and compassionate toward them," Candace said. "He was a teacher to them, and he loved them very much and he made that known."
The memorial for Hogans first formed Saturday afternoon. Those who knew Hogans gathered outside of the hookah business on Fond du Lac Avenue. In a party atmosphere, friends listened to music and remembered the man who was popular in Milwaukee's nightlife and entertainment scene.
“He was a great friend to me, a great brother," said William Gardner, one of those who gathered outside the business Saturday.
Gardner said Hogans was a victim of crossfire and was not the intended target in this shooting. Gardner said Hogans stayed out of trouble and gave back to the community in any way he could.
"He was a good friend, he was not supposed to go," Gardner sad. "They weren’t supposed to do that to him. Not him."
Juan Hogans said he'd heard rumors about what led up to the shooting but was waiting to learn more information. It was also his understanding his father was not the intended target. Police have not yet shared any details about what led up to the shooting.
"Just an innocent man doing what he loved, just the wrong person," Juan said. "It's always the person that's doing the right thing that gets hurt, and it's sad. It's really, really messed up, and I just hope the city gets better and we learn from this."
CBS 58 spoke with Michael Chachere, a childhood friend of Hogan. He said the two grew up near 14th and Chambers together. In adulthood, Hogans would help mow the lawn when he needed it.
“Bubbly guy, bright, loud, fun, funny, just positive all day every day," Chachere said.
Antwan Hogans could often be found at Fiserv Forum cheering on the Bucks.
Friends and relatives of Hogans described "OG Tweezy" as someone who loved everything about Milwaukee. He could be seen at Milwaukee Bucks games, including their 2021 championship run, or at community events, including those aimed at stopping gun violence.
Brodulayyz Frazier, Hogans' cousin, had sharp words for the person who pulled the trigger.
"Are you gonna help the people he used to help? No," Frazier said. "You took him out and took another person and injured other people. Are you gonna help the people that he was helping?"
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips.