In the early morning hours of September 17, 2017, Lanell Taylor, a 36-year-old Black / African American male, was fatally shot in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The incident occurred around 12:40 a.m. near 23rd and State Street, a scene that would soon be illuminated by the flashing lights of police cars and captured on surveillance footage that showed the chaos of a sidewalk shootout.
The events leading to the tragic death of Taylor began with an argument at the "Talk of the Town" tavern.
A person was reportedly denied entry into the establishment because they were carrying a firearm. This refusal sparked a dispute that spilled out onto the street, quickly escalating into a gunfight. Taylor was caught in the ensuing crossfire as he was walking outside the bar. The exchange of gunfire was intense, with surveillance video capturing the dramatic sight of sparks flying as dozens of shots were fired.
The investigation into Lanell Taylor's death led Milwaukee police to identify two suspects: Dennis Simmons and Riccardo Hicks. A tip from the public aided in their identification. In January 2018, the Milwaukee Police Department sought public assistance in locating Dennis Simmons, who was charged in the shootout. His alleged accomplice, Riccardo Hicks, had been arrested.
Ultimately, the case against Riccardo Hicks was dismissed in April 2018. Later that year, in October, Dennis Simmons, then 39, reached a plea agreement. He pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree recklessly endangering safety with the use of a dangerous weapon. A second charge, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, was dismissed as part of the deal. Following his plea, Simmons was taken into custody to await sentencing, marking a conclusion to the legal proceedings surrounding the untimely death of Lanell Taylor.
