'America witnessed a murder': Milwaukee leaders condemn Minneapolis death of George Floyd during arrest

Milwaukee leaders on Thursday condemned the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died after an arrest by Minneapolis police, and urged Milwaukee residents to not respond with violence.

"The horrific murder of George Floyd that America has witnessed is shocking, undefendable and unjustifiable," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said during a virtual news conference Thursday.

"America witnessed a murder."

Floyd died Monday after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for almost eight minutes as he was gasping for air and pleading that he couldn't breathe, the Star Tribune reported. Floyd's death prompted the firing of the four officers present during the arrest, a call by the mayor for the officer who kneeled on Floyd's neck to be arrested and charged, and protests in the city that grew violent.

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Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said it hurt to learn of Floyd's death and to continue to see this type of violence happening between police and communities of color. It's imperative, he said, to do everything possible to bridge the communication gap. 

"When you think about the emotions that come with this, they are valid and they need to be expressed, but it's extremely important that you do not respond to violence with violence," he said. "And as a person who lived in the Sherman Park neighborhood when the uprising happened, I think it's extremely important that we start to have some real conversations about how we put a stake in the ground and come up with some goals." 

He noted that Milwaukee County is still one of the most segregated places in the country. 

"It's a sad moment, but folks need to understand that we cannot respond with violence and we have to respond in a way that's going to uplift this community, especially during these challenging times," Crowley said.

Floyd's death underscores the serious challenges the country faces in combating racism, Barrett said. 

He asked that residents in Milwaukee remain calm, saying he did not want to see violence lead to more violence.

"This is not a time for civil unrest," he said. "This is a time for soul-searching, this is a time for honest conversation, this is a time where we take steps to deal with the racial issues that this community and this nation face."

A demonstration is planned for 1 p.m. Friday at North 27th and West Center streets.

In a video released late Thursday, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales called Floyd's death "tragic" and "serious."

"It is evident that if a member of law enforcement violates public trust anywhere in our nation, their actions impact law enforcement members everywhere," Morales said.

Morales added that he "wholeheartedly" stood by a statement released by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, of which Milwaukee is a member.

"The death of Mr. Floyd is deeply disturbing and should be of concern to all Americans,” the association said. “The officers’ actions are inconsistent with the training and protocols of our profession. ...The law enforcement community must do better and hold ourselves to a higher standard.”

Morales said he addressed what happened in Minneapolis with his officers, reminding them to rely on their professionalism and their training.

"Despite the recent unfortunate tragedy, as well as the tragedy that took place involving an off-duty Milwaukee member, the men and women of the Milwaukee Police Department remain committed to protecting and serving the residents of our community," Morales said.

Morales was referring to the recent case of Officer Michael Mattioli, who has been charged with homicide in the death of Joel Acevedo during an off-duty fight at the officer's house. 

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Ashley Luthern of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

Contact Alison Dirr at 414-224-2383 or adirr@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlisonDirr.