WAUWATOSA -- After waiting six months, Jay Anderson's family learned Monday that no charges will be brought against the officer who shot and killed him.
The family's attorney, Jonathan Safran, didn't waste any time in seeking federal charges.
"Accountability is very important, my clients are quite adamant," Safran said.
Speaking one-on-one with Safran on Tuesday, he said the family made the decision once the District Attorney’s Office came up with the conclusion to not press charges against Officer Joseph Mensah.
"They feel that what he did and what was shown in the video was clear -- that their loved one, Jay Anderson, was literally in a park asleep,” Safran said.
He said that the family is willing to wait until justice is served.
“It is a long process that we have to go through, to know what the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DOJ is going to do. Generally, these types of things take months. A lot depends on the resources they have, the number of cases they're pursuing," Safran said.
Safran also tells TODAY'S TMJ4 that the family will also pursue a civil lawsuit after the federal case.
It's been a wild 24 hours for the family but it's also been a wild 24 hours for Wauwatosa police.
A spokesperson with the department tells TODAY'S TMJ4 since Monday’s decision, the department has received multiple threats involving violence toward police over the phone and in writing.
"We are investigating these incidents thoroughly and will seek prosecution against anyone who makes these types of threats," Lt. Brian Zalewski said.
The Mayor of Wauwatosa, Kathy Ehley, said she grieves for the family and she has empathy for the officer who had a make a split second decision. She wants unity for the city.
Wauwatosa police couldn't tell TODAY'S TMJ4 when officer Mensah would return to patrolling, but they said it will be sooner rather than later.
