In the cold of a Milwaukee afternoon on January 29, 2024, the life of 16-year-old Antarion F. Hassell, a Black / African American male, was cut short by gunfire. The incident unfolded around 2:30 p.m. on the city's northwest side, near the intersection of Hopkins and Stark Streets. Initial reports from the Milwaukee Police Department painted a grim picture of a shootout, suggesting that Hassell and 21-year-old Dayvon T. Hood had exchanged gunfire.
When the authorities arrived at the scene, they found Hassell with fatal wounds, and he was pronounced dead right there on the pavement. Hood, also critically injured, was rushed to a local hospital, but he too succumbed to his injuries.
For months, the narrative of a deadly exchange between two individuals was all that was publicly known. The circumstances that led to the fatal encounter remained under investigation, leaving a community to grapple with the violent loss of two young lives. The area where the shooting occurred was canvassed by investigators, who recovered four 9mm casings and ten. 40 caliber casings from the scene. A. 40 caliber Glock pistol was found near one of the victims, while no weapon was found near the other. The incident prompted city leaders to speak out about the need for legislative action to curb gun violence.
Then, in July 2024, the investigation took a significant turn. A 16-year-old, Zaviontae Hayes, was arrested and charged with two counts of felony murder in connection with the deaths of both Hassell and Hood. The criminal complaint against Hayes revealed a more complex story than a simple shootout. According to a witness who was in a van with Hayes and Hood before the shooting, the incident was precipitated by a planned robbery. The witness told investigators that they saw a man with a backpack, later identified as Hassell, and the group decided to rob him. Hood allegedly exited the van, driven by Hayes, to carry out the robbery.
Surveillance footage from a nearby camera captured the moments leading up to the tragedy. The video showed a black Kia van stopping, a man in red exiting, and then walking off-camera. Shortly after, the sound of gunshots filled the air. The witness recounted hearing the shots after Hood got out of the van. The van then circled back and stopped near where Hood lay wounded on the ground. A passenger from the van allegedly got out, took Hood's gun, and got back in before Hayes drove the van away from the scene, leaving Hood behind. This new information suggests a planned crime that tragically escalated, resulting in the deaths of two young men and the arrest of a third, forever altering the lives of all involved. The investigation remains ongoing as the community continues to seek answers and justice.
