MILWAUKEE — A man faces one felony charge of 1st degree intentional homicide in the death of a Milwaukee Public Schools’ special education teacher.
22-year-old Daylan Mallard is accused in the beating and strangulation death of 56-year-old Harry Bruce near a bus stop on Milwaukee’s north side on November 5.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by 620 WTMJ, witnesses say Mallard allegedly beat Bruce near 12th and Walnut and put Bruce “in a headlock using his right arm… [holding Bruce] this way while punching him in the head approximately 20 to 30 times”. They also saw Mallard allegely “drag [Bruce] by a lanyard that was wrapped around the [Bruce’s] neck”.
When Milwaukee police arrived, they found Mallard “standing in the grass by the bus stop with no clothing on except his underwear and socks” and Bruce was “lying unconscious and not breathing”. Officers and witnesses tried to save Bruce with CPR chest compressions, but Bruce did not survive.
Mallard was arrested and made his first appearance in court on November 10. A judge found probable cause to move the case forward, and cash bond was set at $250,000. He is due back in court for his preliminary hearing on November 18, and if convicted, he faces life in prison.
Bruce worked as a special education teacher for about 12 years at Roosevelt Creative Arts Middle School. In a letter sent to families, school leaders recognized his lasting impact on the students and staff, and that he would be deeply missed.
Dear Parent/Guardian,
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Harry Bruce, a beloved special education teacher at Roosevelt Middle School.
Mr. Bruce was a pillar of the Roosevelt community, where he dedicated more than 10 years to supporting students and families. In addition to being a teacher, he served as a football coach, tutor, and mentor to many students. He made a lasting impact on the lives of those he worked with, and his presence will be deeply missed throughout our school community.
We recognize that this news may be difficult for many students, especially those who knew Mr. Bruce personally or have experienced loss in the past. The District Crisis Response Team was at Roosevelt today to provide support and assistance to students and staff members as needed during this difficult time.
Your child may express feelings about this loss at home. You may notice some of the following behaviors:
- Mood swings, irritability, or tearfulness
- Intense dreams
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Changes in activity level
- Changes in sleep patterns
These reactions can be a normal part of grieving. Some students may show little or no reaction at all. It may take time for students to process their feelings, particularly for those who knew Mr. Bruce closely.
You can support your child by:
- Letting them talk about what they know and how they feel
- Listening without judgment or trying to fix their feelings
- Allowing them to cry and express emotions
- Keeping routines as consistent as possible to provide stability
Our school has support systems in place, including counselors and other support staff who are available to assist students. If you have questions or would like additional support for your child, please contact the school office.
Our thoughts are with Mr. Bruce’s family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Roosevelt community during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Ms. Tiffany Fisher
Principal
Roosevelt Middle SchoolAdditional Grief Resources:
Grieving Students
The Dougy Center
Children’s Grief Resources – Wisconsin
