The Milwaukee cop who fatally shot Sylville Smith has been identified as a two-year veteran of the force, an acquaintance of a slain man and an amateur rapper who once sang, “Imma start a riot like it’s Baltimore.”
More than a thousand people have circulated a 2014 image shared by the Milwaukee Police Department identifying and lauding Officer Dominique Heaggan-Brown as the rookie cop who helped a homeless woman find a warm meal during frigid weather.
Milwaukee police deleted the viral post Tuesday amid heated comments as Facebook users threatened to have the embattled officer killed, while others shared troubling encounters with the patrolman.
Milwaukee police deleted the viral post Tuesday amid heated comments as Facebook users shared his home address and threatened to have the embattled officer killed, while others shared troubling encounters with the patrolman.
“Do whatever ya’ll need to do to this man,” wrote one person.
Another wrote: They coming for yo a--, Mr. Postman.”
The Journal Sentinel has independently confirmed Heaggan-Brown, 24, fired the fatal shots.
Smith’s sister Sherelle Smith also said the officer who shot her brother knew each other from their high school days.
Heaggan-Brown was also known locally as “KB Domo,” a musician who often collaborated with hip hop artist Dae Flywalker.
In a video also shared on social media, Heaggan-Brown sported a purple and gold bucket hat while performing “Monster Freestyle,” a tribute to Meek Mill’s “Monster.”
He rapped the lyrics: “Imma start a riot like it’s Baltimore.”
The protests following the Smith shooting on Saturday resembled the intense riots that besieged Baltimore following Freddie Gray’s death in April 2015. Heaggan-Brown’s music video was posted on YouTube a month later.
The artist known as Dae Flywalker did not respond to emails from the Daily News requesting comment.
In an interview with “Breaking & Entering," a Milwaukee music blog, Dae Flywalker said he had known “KB Domo” since grade school and was shocked he was named as the officer involved in Smith’s death.
“I was in shock and disbelief just like everyone else that knew him or grew up with him,” he said in a Q&A.”
“I was aware that he was an officer like most people,” he added. “When we did have a chance to hang out it was pure kicking it, or he would pop up at some of my shows in support sometimes.”
Police officials have refused to confirm Heaggan-Brown’s role in killing Smith, 23, during a foot chase Saturday, citing threats.
Smith’s death sparked three nights of chaos as protesters marched near Sherman Park facing off with police amid sporadic gunfire. Meanwhile, firefighters tackled a spate of house and car fires that erupted during the night.
The cop joined the Milwaukee force in 2010 as a police aide and in 2013, he graduated from the police academy, according to city records.
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