Family Of Teen Killed By Mount Pleasant Officer Files Federal Lawsuit

The family of an 18-year-old man killed by a Mount Pleasant police officer this summer has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging wrongful death and excessive force.

Ty’Rese West was shot several times, including twice in the forehead, by Sgt. Eric Giese 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 the officer acted in self-defense and would not be charged.

According to the lawsuit against the village and the officer, 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.

Mount Pleasant Administrator Maureen Murphy said the village could not comment on pending litigation. Giese could not be reached for comment.

West’s mother, Monique West, was joined by civil rights attorneys and community members Tuesday at the Racine Police Department after the lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin.

“This man took my son from me and his siblings,” West said. “I don’t understand how you can do that to a kid. My son wasn’t here for Thanksgiving. He’s not here for Christmas. His birthday is coming up on the 29th and he’s gone. I want justice for my baby.”

The family is asking for a jury trial, seeking punitive damages and wants Giese to lose his job.

Eric Russell is an activist with the Chicago-based group Tree of Life Justice League of Illinois and is serving as a spokesperson for the family.

“This is not a police station, it’s a hunting lodge,” Russell said. “How is it police can always manage to de-escalate and bring to a peaceful resolution when white kids are involved, but somehow our kids always end up dead.”

Civil rights attorney Gregory Kulis said he took West’s case because the report from the officer didn’t make sense.

“He fled, afraid of a police officer, a chase took place and at the end of the chase, Ty’Rese ended up dead,” Kulis said. “A gun was found at the scene, but there is no evidence it belonged to Ty’Rese. We’re looking for answers from (Giese) and the Mount Pleasant Police Department.”