Oakland Police Arrest Suspect in Assault of Councilmember Rowena Brown
A suspect has been arrested after Oakland City Councilmember Rowena Brown was robbed and assaulted in her home last week by an acquaintance she was helping through a hard time.
Oakland police arrested Ahshatae Millhouse, 38, of Hayward, in Livermore on Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree burglary, assault and false imprisonment. She was booked into Santa Rita Jail and arraigned in Oakland on Thursday.
Brown’s office said in a post on social media this week that the council member at large sought medical treatment after the incident and is recovering with support from loved ones.
“She remains focused on her recovery and on continuing to serve the Oakland community,” her office said. “We are grateful to the Oakland Police Department for its swift response, for taking the suspect into custody, and for its continued investigation of the incident.”
According to court documents, Millhouse was at Brown’s apartment in the early hours of July 19. Brown asked her to leave “because of her escalating behavior,” and on her way to the door, Millhouse allegedly punched Brown twice, causing her to fall to the ground.
Millhouse then dragged Brown by her hair into the living room, where she pressed her knee into Brown’s neck, according to court documents. Millhouse placed both of her hands around Brown’s neck and strangled her, the report said, before Brown was able to escape the apartment.
Millhouse allegedly fled the scene with Brown’s purse and two cellphones.
“Sending you love, healing and support during this difficult time,” Councilmember Janani Ramachandran wrote to Brown on social media. “You are an incredibly strong person and Oakland is lucky to have your leadership!”
According to Brown’s staff, Millhouse was an acquaintance that Brown was helping through a difficult time.
Millhouse’s brother, Terrill Millhouse, was shot and killed in East Oakland in November, the night before Thanksgiving. Last week, Oakland police released surveillance footage of the suspect in the incident.
Millhouse and Brown have been acquainted since at least August 2024, when social media posts show Millhouse, who directs a music therapy nonprofit, campaigned for Brown. In February, Brown appointed Millhouse to the city’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said on social media on Thursday that she had been in touch with Brown, and that “she is well and recovering from her injuries.”
“I want to thank her friends, family and OPD for their support during this period and ask that her privacy be respected at this time,” she wrote.
Millhouse is set to return to court on July 30. She has not yet entered a plea.