AnMarie Miller, a 17-year-old Black female, was fatally shot on March 12, 2014, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The incident that led to her death unfolded inside an apartment building in the 1400 block of N. 27th Street. On that day, Miller, along with 19-year-old James Bell Jr., and a 20-year-old man, were involved in an altercation with a 39-year-old maintenance worker in a stairwell of the building.
The argument escalated into a physical confrontation.
During the fight, the maintenance worker was reportedly held while being beaten with a baseball bat. In response to the attack, the maintenance worker drew a handgun and fired, striking both AnMarie Miller and James Bell Jr. Both teenagers succumbed to their injuries.
Following the shooting, the maintenance worker and the 20-year-old man who had been with Miller and Bell were taken into custody by the Milwaukee Police Department. The maintenance worker, who had sustained head injuries during the altercation, was initially held on potential homicide charges. However, both he and the 20-year-old were later released from custody as the investigation continued.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office reviewed the case to determine if charges should be filed. The review included examining evidence such as a cell phone video of the incident and witness statements. After a thorough investigation, the district attorney concluded that the maintenance worker acted in self-defense. As a result, no criminal charges were filed against him for the deaths of AnMarie Miller and James Bell Jr. An uncle of James Bell expressed disappointment with the decision but stated he would accept it and was ready to move on.
