Sentenced: Criminal Complaint Alleges Fatal Burger King Robbery Was Staged

[Sugar Cookie]

Niesha N. Harris-Brazell

A Burger King employee told police that she, her father and Niesha Harris-Brazell were in on a plan to stage the robbery that led to the inadvertent shooting death of the 16-year-old cashier.

Prosecutors on Friday charged Antoine Z. Edwards, 41, of Milwaukee with felony murder and intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a child, with death as a consequence – another felony.

Edwards and his own 16-year-old daughter, who was also working at Burger King the night of the shooting, Jan. 2, told police that they and Harris-Brazell planned to stage the robbery, knowing Harris-Brazell would be working the cash register of the drive-thru window, according to the criminal complaint.

The details in the complaint mark another wild turn in the investigation of the death of Harris-Brazell. It also alleged clearly what earlier court documents suggested, that Harris-Brazell was not shot by a robbery suspect but instead by a coworker who was not in on plans to stage a robbery and shot at the robbery suspect, inadvertently hitting and killing Harris-Brazell.

The complaint filed Friday said it does not appear that Edwards, the man carrying out the supposed robbery, ever fired his gun.

The allegation that Harris-Brazell was involved was vehemently denied by her grandmother, Ida Lane.

"That’s complete and utter bull (expletive),” she said. “In all actuality, my granddaughter didn’t have to work. She had a grandmother that worked, a mother that worked, five aunties and one uncle that worked.

"My granddaughter didn’t have to do nothing but save what she needed or what she wanted. We were trying to instill values in her.”

New criminal complaint alleges Milwaukee Burger King robbery that left a 16-year-old cashier dead was staged

A Burger King employee told police that she, her father and Niesha Harris-Brazell were in on a plan to stage the robbery.

www.jsonline.com

One of Harris-Brazell’s coworkers, Derrick D. Ellis, 34, fired a gun at the suspect, but it is not clear if the suspect returned fire, police have said. It is unclear how Harris-Brazell was struck.

A still image from surveillance cameras released by police shows the suspect attempted the robbery by leaning into a drive-thru window with his own gun.

Police said Tuesday they are still searching for Ellis, who is a felon and is barred from having a gun. Prosecutors filed a felony gun possession charge against him last week.

Ellis was seen on surveillance cameras collecting his spent casings on the floor following the shooting and hiding his handgun in a safe inside the restaurant, according to the criminal complaint. A restaurant manager told police Ellis asked her to hide the gun in the safe because he wasn’t supposed to have it.

The manager told police Ellis normally carries the gun at work, the complaint said.

Since the shooting, Harris-Brazell family has receive an outpouring of support from community members. A GoFundMe page set up by the family sought $5,000 to help fund her funeral. As of Tuesday, it had raised more than $39,000.

Police arrest robbery suspect connected with shooting death of Niesha Harris-Brazell at a Burger King

Milwaukee police have arrested an armed robbery suspect in the shooting death of 16-year-old Niesha Harris-Brazell at a Burger King.

www.jsonline.com

Grandma says they have money, why did they need a gofundme?

Help send Niesha home​

$40,592 raised​

This fundraiser is no longer accepting donations. If you are the organizer, beneficiary, team member, or donor, sign in to see additional information.

 

[Metalfan]

All of that for whatever little was in the till! Idiots!

 

[Sejanus]

I have now read enough regarding this case to not give a flying fig about it anymore. I lose interest the second a GoFundMe an online fundraising effort emerges for individuals that can reportedly afford to pay their own freight but just don't want to. To me it is grifting and greed.

 

[cubby]

There have ben alot of people who have stole, robbed, shoplifted even tho they could afford to pay for it. So saying your granddaughter had all she needed and didn't need to steal, doesn't mean anything. They do it for the thrill of it, or just because they're bored.

 

[Sudonim]

The organizer of the gofund me appears to be related to the male robber? At first glance I thought it was the robber who started it, the names are almost identical.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

A Milwaukee man has been charged with murder in the shooting death of his daughter’s best friend after an alleged staged robbery took a fatal turn.

Antoine Edwards, 41, faces multiple charges in the death of Niesha Harris-Brazell, 16, who was shot and killed while working at a Burger King on Jan. 2. Edwards was not the man who pulled the trigger, but prosecutors say that he put her in harm’s way by involving the teenager in a plan to stage a robbery.

Harris-Brazell was killed in the crossfire when a store employee unfamiliar with the scheme tried to ward off Edwards, authorities say.

Edwards is charged with felony murder, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, court records show.

According to the criminal complaint, Edwards’ daughter told police that she, Harris-Brazell, and Edwards concocted a plan to rob the Burger King restaurant where the girls worked.

Edwards’ daughter told police that she, her dad, and her best friend—Harris-Brazell—planned to stage a robbery while the two teenage girls were on the clock, local NBC affiliate WRAL reported.

“She said a few days before the incident, she, (Niesha), and the defendant planned for the defendant to come to the drive-thru window and stage a robbery at closing time when the register was likely to have lots of money,” the criminal complaint said, according WRAL.

According to the criminal complaint, Edwards pulled up to the Burger King drive-thru window shortly after closing, WRAL reported. The first time, another employee came to the window, so Edwards left and got on the phone with his daughter, WRAL said.

Edwards’ daughter allegedly told police that Harris-Brazell “was with her during this call, and she told [Harris-Brazell] that her father would be coming back around to the window,” the complaint said, according to WRAL.

Harris-Brazell was at the window when Edwards returned, and employees reportedly heard her yell “he’s got a gun!” WRAL reported.

Another employee, Derrick Ellis, who was unaware of the plan, apparently fired several rounds toward the drive-thru when Edwards reached through with a gun, WRAL reported. Harris-Brazell was killed while standing in the line of fire, the WRAL story said.

Prosecutors say that Edwards never fired his gun, according to WRAL.

Wisconsin Man Charged with Murder of Daughter’s Best Friend After Botched Burger King Robbery

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Co-worker that took the beastie down, Derrick Ellis

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Fundraisers were created to support Harris-Brazell's family after the shooting, generating more than $40,000. A local restaurateur who led fundraising efforts spoke to FOX6 News about the new development in the case.

"It wasn’t the news I wanted to hear, but I don’t regret it," said Omar Shaikh.

Shaikh sprang into action when he heard of the 16-year-old's death almost two weeks ago, raising thousands for her family.

"I can't imagine how it feels to have a 16-year-old daughter, granddaughter die," Shaikh said. "It's tragic."

When Shaikh learned of the alleged robbery staging, including Harris-Brazell's alleged role, he said he was heartbroken – but not discouraged about what he did.

"You still have a family who lost a 16-year-old daughter. I know a lot of families that live in certain areas don’t have reserves, don’t have money for a funeral," said Shaikh. "I think the heart was in the right place, and that family is suffering right now."

Big hitters like the Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich and Green Bay Packers icon Donald Driver were among those who donated.

"All their hearts were in the right place. Something tragic happened, and they wanted to help," said Shaikh. "I feel blessed that I have a lot of friends that would step up in those situations."

Shaikh said he hopes that this situation does not discourage people from being generous in the future.

"There’s tragedies happening every day, and there’s people that are living in unfortunate situations," said Shaikh. "We just need to continue to open our hearts up and try to be as helpful as we can."

Shaikh said no one has asked for their donation back and, frankly, does not know how he would get money back to donors at this point.

Burger King shooting victim fundraiser; organizer doesn't regret

When he learned of the alleged robbery staging, including the victim's alleged role, he said he was heartbroken – but not discouraged about what he did.

www.fox6now.com

 

[Sugar Cookie]

The Burger King employee accused of accidentally shooting 16-year-old Niesha Harris-Brazell has turned himself in to authorities while prosecutors filed a new homicide charge against him.

Before Thursday, Derrick D. Ellis, 34, faced only a felony charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted out-of-state felon. But after turning himself in Tuesday, he now faces an additional charge of homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon, which comes with a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Ellis had been sought by police for more than two weeks after he allegedly shot at a robbery suspect while working at Burger King and inadvertently hit and killed Harris-Brazell.

Last week, the robbery suspect, Antoine Z. Edwards, was charged with felony murder and intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a child with death as a consequence — another felony.

Edwards and his own 16-year-old daughter, who is described as Harris-Brazell’s best friend, told police they coordinated with Harris-Brazell to stage the robbery in order to steal money, according to the criminal complaint.

The document showed no additional evidence Harris-Brazell conspired with the two on the staged robbery, and her family has argued she had no reason to steal money.

Ellis was not in on the staged robbery and fired at the suspect after seeing him leaning into a drive-thru window and waving a gun around in the direction of Harris-Brazell.

Edwards and his daughter did not tell police it was part of the plan for Edwards to lean into the window. Edwards said he did so because Harris-Brazell, who was working the drive-thru register, did not immediately hand over the cash, court documents said.

The Milwaukee Burger King employee accused of accidentally shooting his 16-year-old coworker is in custody and charged with homicide

Before Thursday, Derrick D. Ellis faced only a felony charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted out-of-state felon.

news.yahoo.com

 

[Sugar Cookie]

The Burger King employee who allegedly fired the gun that killed 16-year-old Niesha Harris-Brazell during a botched staged robbery avoided a homicide conviction Wednesday in a plea deal with prosecutors.

Derrick D. Ellis, 35, of Milwaukee pleaded guilty to felony possession of a firearm by an out-of-sate convicted felon. In exchange, prosecutors moved to dismiss a charge of homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon, according to online court records.

The gun conviction means Ellis will face up to 10 years in prison. He will be sentenced June 16. Had he been convicted of the homicide charge, Ellis would have faced a second maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

MSN

 

[Satanica]

I don't know why they offered him anything. He should be serving 20; not 10 and, of course, deserves even more.

 

[thuumpr]

I don't know why they offered him anything. He should be serving 20; not 10 and, of course, deserves even more.

No classic frosty for him

 

[cubby]

Most likely not, since they don't serve frostys at Burger King, he will be in line for a Whopper, tho, just not the kind he wants.

 

[BuffettGirl]

No classic frosty for him

And that is the real tragedy here...

Although I think Ellis should be on the hook for more. He had no business handling a gun with a felony conviction in his past.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Antoine Edwards has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for playing a part in a staged robbery that led to the death of a 16-year-old in January 2022.

In addition to prison time, Edwards was sentenced to five years of extended supervision.

Court filings say, Edwards, his daughter and 16-year-old Niesha Harris-Brazell planned the Jan. 2 robbery of the restaurant at 51st and Capitol. Police say Edwards tried to climb through the drive-thru window with a handgun.

Man Sentenced To 18 Years In Prison For Staged Wisconsin Burger King Robbery That Led To Murder » Illicit Deeds

A 42-year-old Wisconsin man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for playing a...

illicitdeeds.com

 

[Crazy Cat Lady]

That was one dumb-ass "plan."

 

[cubby]

A family that robs together, go to prison together.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

A Milwaukee County judge sentenced Derrick Ellis to one year in the House of Correction and four years probation in connection with the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Niesha Harris-Brazell at a Burger King on Milwaukee's north side.

"I’m truly sorry to you, your honor, and to the family. I really didn't mean for this to happen," Ellis told the court.

Derrick Ellis apologized to Niesha Harris-Brazell's family – and for what he did late on Sunday, Jan. 2.

"I was just trying to save them and I hope you forgive me for everything I’ve done," Ellis said.

Milwaukee Burger King murder; Derrick Ellis sentenced, 1 year HOC, 4 years probation

A Milwaukee County judge sentenced Derrick Ellis to one year in the House of Correction and four years probation in connection with the fatal shooting of Niesha Harris-Brazell at a Burger King on Milwaukee's north side

www.fox6now.com

 

[Satanica]

That will teach him.