BROOKFIELD — A Brookfield family is demanding answers after a noose was found on Bluemound Road on Friday, June 12.
Richard Shaw II found the noose while walking back from the mall to his father's home. The noose was on a tree a few homes down from the Shaw residence.
"It didn’t feel real. I never in my life thought I would see something like that," said Shaw II.
Shaw II called his father, who then contacted police. The family said it didn't hear anything from authorities until word got out this may have been related to a separate incident in the neighborhood.
"We considered this an unlawful criminal act of hate directed at the only African-Americans living on this block," said attorney Roy Evans, who represents the Shaw family. The family said it hired an attorney to assist with the process and media inquiries.
The family felt a different narrative was being spread about why the noose was placed on the tree in order to diminish the impact of it. On Tuesday, the family and its attorney met with the Brookfield chief of police, expressing their concern and need for all possibilities to be investigated.
"We expect a full and complete investigation of this incident as a hate crime," said Evans.
The City of Brookfield Police Department released this statement:
"The City of Brookfield Police Department continues to investigate this incident and takes the placement of a noose very seriously. The police department has not and will not push a 'narrative' regarding who, how and why this incident occurred. As in any investigation, but particularly one as serious as this, detectives pursue all leads, collect and analyze evidence, gather facts, and are open-minded to all potential motives and theories."
The Shaws said finding the noose in the neighborhood has left them fearful and ultimately want the person to come forward and for this incident to be a teaching moment.
Brookfield Police said the investigation is ongoing and reports will not be released.
A detective is working this case exclusively, and the noose has been forwarded to the state crime lab for analysis.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the City of Brookfield Police Department at 262-787-3702.
