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Decision expected Wednesday evening in police shooting of Tyrese West

Posted at 10:17 PM, Sep 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-18 18:10:15-04

RACINE, Wis. — A Racine family learned a decision will come Wednesday on whether the Racine County District Attorney's Office will pursue charges against a police officer who shot and killed their son.

Tyrese West, 18, was shot by a Mount Pleasant Police Officer on June 15th while he was riding a bike. The Racine Police Department investigated the death.

Monday night, dozens of people came out to stand in front for the Racine County Courthouse. The demonstration was originally called to demand answers from District Attorney Patricia Hanson.

The family found out those answers could come Wednesday night. West was shot and killed when police say a Mount Pleasant Police Officer attempted to stop him for riding a bike without the proper lights. His mom and grandmother still have not gotten an official account of what happened that night.

"We haven't seen anything. We know nothing at all," said grandmother Barbara West.

"All we want is justice for Tyrese," said mother Monique West.

Officers say West had a gun. Sgt. Eric Giese used a taser and other less-than-lethal force before firing his weapon, according to police. Giese is a 12-year veteran of the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

The West family believes Giese should face a trial.

"We going to get the answers. And hopefully they are the answers we want to hear. Because, ain't no telling if they give us the wrong answers," said Monique West.

The family said they will meet privately with the District Attorney's Office at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.