A woman called police that Hendricks was at Children's Hospital, had a felony warrant and could be armed.
By H. Nelson Goodson
November 14, 2013
Wauwatosa, WI - On Thursday, Ashanti Dickerson-Hendricks, 22, was taken into custody after he grabbed a two month old infant inside the Newborn Progressive Care Unit on the 7th floor of the Children's Hospital in Wauwatosa. He was visiting and holding his baby when Milwaukee police attempted to serve a warrant at the neo-natal premature care unit. Police say, they got a tip from a woman that Hendricks was at the hospital visiting his only child and that he was currently wanted and possibly armed.
Just before noon Milwaukee police officers were dispatched to take him into custody. The baby's mother apparently believed Hendricks was going to kill his child. But, Hendricks father told reporters that the infant was his son's only child and wouldn't harm him.
Police arrived at the hospital unit and told Hendricks that he had a warrant and was under arrest. Hendricks was holding his baby and seemed to cooperate with police. He put down his child and then darted out of the unit.
Hendricks then pulled out a weapon when cornered in a nearby hallway. Hendricks pointed a .40 Cal. Glock at police and failed to lower his weapon. A Milwaukee policer officer fired several shots striking Hendricks in the arm and wrist.
Hendricks was taken to Froedtert Hospital for treatment and was placed in custody. He was wanted on a felony conviction warrant for possession of a weapon by a felon, eluding police and a drug charge, according to court records. Hendricks failed to show up for his sentencing several weeks ago and a warrant was issued.
Milwaukee police are being criticized about their attempt to take Hendricks into custody inside the Children's Hospital by Hendricks family members. Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, that it "was not a situation where a guy came in to shoot somebody."
Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn defended the action taken by his officers who were serving a warrant at the newborn Children's Hospital unit. An investigation had been initiated to see, if Milwaukee police acted properly to arrest Hendricks at the Children's Hospital.
Officers from Wauwatosa Police Department and deputies from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office also responded to the incident. The Children's Hospital was locked down for nearly several hours, according to police.
