In the early morning hours of June 28, 2022, a 15-year-old Black / African American male named Dechale Hampton was tragically killed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A student at Riverside High School, Dechale was known for his passion for basketball and rapping. The incident that led to his death unfolded near the intersection of 95th and Allyn around 3:45 a.m., where he sustained fatal gunshot injuries.
Responding officers found him unconscious and without a pulse; an autopsy later determined he had been shot three times.
Events preceding the shooting began with a report of an attempted car break-in nearby. The owner of the vehicle, along with others, went to look for the individuals responsible and came across Dechale and two other people. This encounter led to the group scattering. A witness reported seeing Dechale involved in a physical altercation where he was punched until he fell to the ground. Following the assault, several individuals were seen fleeing the area in two vehicles. In the ensuing chaos, Dechale was chased and ultimately shot.
The investigation into Dechale's death led to the arrest of 19-year-old Taeshaun Chapman. According to a criminal complaint, Chapman was charged with first-degree reckless homicide. The complaint revealed that Chapman admitted to chasing Dechale and firing a gun at him three times following a confrontation. Chapman claimed that he slipped and discharged the weapon accidentally. He was also faced with a charge of misdemeanor bail jumping. His cash bond was set at $200,000 during his initial court appearance on July 5, 2022. The death of the teenager reverberated through the community, prompting calls from local residents and leaders for an end to the pervasive violence.
