An "open discussion:" Dontre Hamilton's family sits down with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The family of Dontre Hamilton met Wednesday, April 1st with Howard Schultz -- the CEO of Starbucks. It was a Starbucks employee who called police on Hamilton as he slept in Red Arrow Park last April. Hamilton was later shot and killed by former Milwaukee Police Officer Christopher Manney.

An attorney for the Hamilton family tells FOX6 News the meeting was set to take place Wednesday afternoon -- but he declined to say where they would be meeting -- saying both sides wanted to have a private discussion.

We're told the meeting occurred at 1:00 p.m., and the Hamilton family tells FOX6 News it involved a "good, open discussion."

FOX6 News is told Wednesday's meeting was the second between the family and Starbucks corporate representatives.

On April 30th, 2014, an employee at the Red Arrow Park Starbucks called Milwaukee police to report a man sleeping in the park. Eventually, Officer Christopher Manney responded and attempted to pat-down 31-year-old Dontre Hamilton. A struggle ensued before Manney shot and killed Hamilton.

Dontre Hamilton's family and their supporters would later protest at the Starbucks, asserting that the employee profiled Hamilton as homeless and a nuisance.

Two weeks ago, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announced Starbucks' "Race Together" campaign -- encouraging baristas to discuss race relations with customers.

After widespread criticism, the company has pulled back on the initiative.

Schultz, however, still agreed to meet with the Hamilton family in an effort to create an understanding between a family and a corporation tied together by tragedy.

A Starbucks spokesperson issued this statement to FOX6 News:

An attorney for the Hamilton family released this statement:

The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office declined to criminally charge Manney in connection with the shooting of Dontre Hamilton -- but a Fire and Police Commission panel later ruled Manney's pat down of Hamilton and his use of force that day violated policy, and he will never again serve as a Milwaukee police officer despite appealing his termination.