(WPR)---Funeral services were held in Racine Friday for an African-American man shot to death last week by Racine police. A relative of the victim hopes a Wisconsin Department of Justice investigation is looking closely at the case.
On Jan. 17, Racine police say they shot 26 year-old Donte Shannon when he allegedly brandished a weapon at them while running on foot from a traffic stop.
Friends and family gathered at Greater Grace Temple Church to mourn the loss of Shannon, who one of his friends, Quantez Marshall, said was a role model.
"He was just somebody that was cool, fun and collected. Somebody that you could treasure, you know. It didn't have to be like this. I wish there was a better way. He wasn't nobody that should have been hurt and gone, ya know?" Marshall said.
Shannon's cousin, Donte Williams, said it shouldn't matter that his cousin had previously been in trouble with the law.
"He was a good dude. I mean, I've gotten in trouble before, but that doesn't mean I should get shot down because of my history or because I'm black, or anything of the sort," Williams said.
Williams said Shannon's family is peacefully trying to get answers about the case and hopes state investigators look at whether Shannon did indeed have a gun. Shannon's family is also calling on investigators to look at past conduct by the two Racine officers involved in the shooting.
Racine Mayor Cory Mason said this week that his office is supporting Shannon's family in its grief, as well as the two officers involved.
The fallout from the officer involved shooting has caused a level of unrest in the Racine community.
Darryl Hibbler, a 33 year-old Racine man, took to his personal Facebook page after Shannon was killed, and posted threatening messages about law enforcement.
On Friday, a Racine County Court Commissioner determined that there was probable cause to continue a case against Hibbler for a felony count of "Making Terrorist Threats," thorough social media. Hibbler also faces a felony count of bail jumping.
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