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Milwaukee police say a 16-year-old Burger King employee killed earlier this month was shot during a planned—but sharply disputed—staged robbery at the restaurant. Investigators point to security footage and statements from two suspects as the case widens, raising questions about who pulled the trigger and why a co-worker fled the scene with the weapon.
Authorities arrested 41-year-old Antoine Edwards and his teenage daughter, who worked alongside the victim, after the Jan. 2 shooting, charging Edwards with felony murder and related offenses. The teenager who died was identified by police as Niesha Harris‑Brazell; relatives have disputed her participation in any criminal plan.
What investigators say happened
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According to a criminal complaint and police statements, a Chevrolet Impala approached the drive‑thru shortly after 10 p.m. Witnesses and camera footage show an initial brief interaction with a male employee, after which the vehicle left and returned minutes later with Harris‑Brazell answering the window.
Surveillance video, prosecutors say, captures a man later identified as Edwards leaning through the drive‑thru window and brandishing a firearm. The complaint notes the video does not show a clear muzzle flash or expelled casings from his position — evidence officials say suggests he did not fire.
Internal restaurant cameras reportedly show a different employee, 34‑year‑old Derrick Ellis, drawing a gun and firing toward the window. Investigators say Ellis then picked up the shell casings, spoke with a manager and placed both the weapon and casings in a safe before leaving the premises. At the time of the report, police said Ellis — a convicted felon who was working despite a criminal record — remained at large.
- Date: Jan. 2, incident at a Milwaukee Burger King (drive‑thru).
- Victim: Niesha Harris‑Brazell, 16, died after being shot.
- Arrests: Antoine Edwards, 41, charged with felony murder; his 16‑year‑old daughter taken into custody as a juvenile suspect.
- Shooter: Derrick Ellis, 34, identified on internal footage as the person who fired; authorities searching for him.
- Additional development: A 38‑year‑old woman was detained in connection with the case but not formally charged at the time of reporting.
Conflicting accounts and family response
Edwards and his daughter gave differing statements to police. The daughter reportedly admitted to participating in a staged robbery meant to steal cash, and described the victim as a close friend and Edwards as the driver. Edwards later gave a statement that placed the victim — not his daughter — as part of the staged plan.
Members of Harris‑Brazell’s family have disputed those accounts. Her grandmother told local reporters that the suggestion the teen helped plan the robbery was untrue, and said the family was shocked by her death.
Evidence on video and gaps in the case
Investigators emphasize that security footage is key to reconstructing the sequence of events. The distinction between what appears on the drive‑thru camera and what internal cameras recorded has driven how charges were framed.
Prosecutors note several specific observations from the recordings: no visible flash or casing ejection at the drive‑thru window when Edwards leaned in, contrasted with internal footage showing an employee firing and then handling casings. Those discrepancies are central to the question of who actually shot Harris‑Brazell.
Why this matters now
The case underlines several wider issues: the risks faced by fast‑food workers at late hours, the legal complications when juveniles are implicated alongside adults, and the consequences of firearms being carried in workplaces. With a suspect still sought by police, public safety concerns remain immediate for the neighborhood and for other late‑night service workers.
The investigation is ongoing. Edwards remains in custody facing serious charges; prosecutors are relying on recorded evidence and witness statements as they build the case, and local law enforcement is asking anyone with information or additional footage to come forward.
Current status: Antoine Edwards charged; his daughter detained as a juvenile suspect; Derrick Ellis at large; one other adult detained but not charged. Authorities continue to investigate and seek tips from the public.
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