Family of 18-year-old fatally shot by Wisconsin officer sues

RACINE, Wis. (AP) – The family of an 18-year-old man who was fatally shot by a Mount Pleasant police is suing over his death.

The family of Ty’Rese West filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on Tuesday against Sgt. Eric Giese and the Village of Mount Pleasant.

West’s family alleges wrongful death and excessive force. Giese shot West in June after the teen failed to have a light on his bike while riding in the dark. Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson announced in September that the officer acted in self-defense and would not be charged.

West’s family was joined by civil rights attorneys and community members at the Racine Police Department, where the lawsuit was announced.

Andrew Stroth, one of two civil rights attorneys representing the West family, called the 18-year-old “yet another black man unjustifiably shot by the police,” The Journal Times of Racine  reported.

A message left by The Associated Press for Giese was not immediately returned Tuesday evening. Village Administrator Maureen Murphy said in an email that the village cannot comment on pending litigation.

Giese began chasing West and told investigators he believed West was reaching for the gun he had dropped during the foot pursuit when he was shot.

Giese was wearing a body camera, but told investigators he was unable to activate it.