A city councilmember in Oakland was brutally attacked and robbed inside her downtown apartment — allegedly punched, choked and dragged by her hair — by a party promoter she considered an acquaintance, her office said.
Councilmember Rowena Brown is recovering from injuries this week from the July 18 attack.
Oakland at-large city councilmember Rowena Brown. City of Oakland
Tae Millhouse and Rowena Brown at an event in 2023. Instagram/@the_realmillhouse
Brown “remains focused on her recovery and on continuing to serve the Oakland community,” said a statement from her office.
Police responded to a West Oakland location after midnight Sunday to investigate the incident. The suspect was identified as Ashatae “Tae” Millhouse, 38, a music and live events promoter.
According to court records, Millhouse was visiting Brown’s residence when she was asked to leave due to “escalating behavior.”
Millhouse allegedly responded by punching Brown twice, which made her fall. The music promoter then allegedly dragged Brown into the living room by her hair, pressed her knee on Brown’s neck, then attempted to strangle with hands around her neck.
Court records state that Brown eventually escaped and sped out the apartment. She claimed she saw Millhouse depart with a purse and two phones, which surveillance camera caught.
Tae Millhouse is a party promoter in the East Bay. Facebook
Tae Millhouse taking a mirror selfie. Facebook
Police arrested Millhouse on Tuesday and charged her with assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm, first-degree residential robbery and false imprisonment by violence.
The city councilmember described her attacker as “an acquaintance she had been supporting through a difficult time,” and social media photos show the two at a Juneteenth party back in 2023.
Their relationship goes deeper: Brown had appointed Millhouse in February as a member of the city’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
It’s unspecified what “difficult time” Millhouse was going through, but her brother apparently was shot and killed the night before Thanksgiving.
Elected officials in Oakland shared messages of solidarity with Brown.
“I have been in touch with Councilmember Rowena Brown and she is well and recovering from her injuries as she continues to serve the residents of Oakland,” Mayor Barbara Lee wrote.
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