In the early hours of a December morning in Milwaukee, a young Black / African American man's life was tragically cut short. Reginald T. Evans, a 21-year-old male, was working as a cook at a George Webb restaurant on the east side on December 20, 2013. A dispute erupted between a group of customers and restaurant staff, and Evans stepped in, attempting to de-escalate the situation and protect his colleagues.
His courageous act, however, made him a target.
The altercation had started with an exchange of words and the throwing of creamers. As the conflict intensified, one of the customers, Delorean Bryson, became embroiled in the fatal confrontation with Evans. Witnesses later testified that Bryson had been in and out of the restaurant before the shooting. In the midst of the struggle, Bryson pulled out a gun and shot Evans in the chest at point-blank range. The single gunshot proved to be fatal for the young cook who was simply trying to do the right thing.
Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene, leaving behind a scene of chaos and tragedy. Milwaukee police launched an investigation and were able to identify and arrest Delorean Bryson. He was initially charged with first-degree intentional homicide. During his trial, Bryson claimed he had been drinking and that he carried the gun for self-defense. He testified that he did not intend to kill Evans, but rather aimed for his arm because he believed Evans was threatening his cousin with a coffee pot.
Ultimately, a jury found Delorean Bryson guilty of a lesser charge of first-degree reckless homicide. While this conviction carried a significant prison sentence, it was a disappointment to those who felt his actions warranted a murder conviction. The court proceedings revealed that three other individuals were also charged in connection with the incident and were to be tried separately. The tragic death of Reginald T. Evans serves as a somber reminder of how quickly a volatile situation can escalate to irreversible violence.
