Milwaukee man charged in shooting that killed Antwan ‘Tweezy’ Hogans: ‘True ambassador of the city’

A 24-year-old Milwaukee man has been charged in the 2025 Water Street shooting that killed community pillar Antwan “Tweezy” Hogans.

Prosecutors charged Justin Jamari Smith on April 13, with five counts, one for each victim injured —  two counts of first-degree reckless homicide and three counts of recklessly endangering safety, all as a party to the crime, in the July 12 shooting outside ELMNT Lounge, 618 N. Water St. 

Kevin B. Lewis, 39, was also killed in the shooting and three other people were injured.

In recent days, April 11, investigators had a break in the case after receiving data from a GPS tracker attached to a Jeep truck involved in the shooting. 

According to a criminal complaint, Smith was inside of the Jeep, which pulled up to the nightclub in the early morning hours alongside a Dodge Durango as Hogans and a group stood outside the club.

Prosecutors said three shooters began firing off several rounds at the crowd. Surveillance footage doesn’t show anyone from the crowd shooting back at the gunmen, the complaint said. 

Smith was also struck by friendly fire and was driven to a hospital by a friend, according to the complaint. While at the hospital, he told police he was shot at a different location, but there was no evidence that was true, police said. 

The complaint said there is “very strong support for inclusion” of Smith’s DNA on the gun recovered at the scene. 

With evidence from the GPS tracker on the Jeep and the recovery of surveillance footage, police said Smith was “working in concert with others in the Jeep and Dodge Durango, carried out the shooting outside ELMNT Lounge that led to the deaths of Hogans and Lewis, and injuries to others.”

The complaint does not provide a motive. 

Smith is in custody of the Milwaukee County Jail on $200,000 bail. If convicted, he faces decades behind bars. He does not yet have a permanent attorney listed. 

The Milwaukee Common Council revoked the club’s license in November after a series of shootings and violence at the site. 

Antwan ‘Tweezy’ Hogans loved Milwaukee and the city loved him back 

There have been tributes to Hogans for months now. The 52-year-old was known as the unofficial mayor of Milwaukee, particularly in the Black community. He was a business owner, event promoter and community leader. 

“OG Tweezy was a true ambassador of the city,” said Pastor Radontae Ashford of The Infinite Church, 6750 N. 43rd St. 

“People knew he loved Milwaukee. He loved the 414. He loved the Bucks, the music scene. He was a pioneer on many of the entertainment fronts, but more than that, he loved his family and is definitely missed by his family. 

“We continue to keep his family, his children, people that knew him well in our prayers. And we also pray for justice to be served in this senseless scenario.”