MT. PLEASANT — A community is in mourning after a Mount Pleasant police officer shot and killed a young man early Saturday morning.
Racine Police, who are leading the investigation, identified him as 18-year-old Tyrese West.
They said a Mount Pleasant officer tried to make contact with West who was riding a bike near Racine and 24th. West took off running and the officer chased him. At this time, the officer noticed West was armed.
According to police, West ignored commands, and “less lethal efforts were used to address the threat” but proved unsuccessful, leading the officer to shoot West.
A memorial continues to grow where the shooting took place.
More than 100 family, friends and community members gathered in that spot Sunday evening for a vigil.
They chanted his name and called for justice.
"I want justice for my best friend who is also my cousin, and I love him so much,” cousin, Lasadiez West said. "He was trying to make a change and he was being very positive, and it hurts me to know that I don't get to see him anymore."
"He was a great kid. Sometimes people make mistakes but he had his whole life ahead of him to turn that around and they took that away from him. He didn't get the chance,” friend, Morgan Bebow said.
Now they’re demanding more answers from police.
"They shouldn't be able to fire their weapon to take somebody's life until they're fired at,” West’s father, Dwight Person said.
“They can say that they protect and serve. They’re only protecting and serving each other. They’re not protecting and serving us,” a family friend said.
If you have any information about what happened you're asked to call the Racine Police Department at 262-635-7756.
