Family mourns son shot by police Thursday night, want answers

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The family of the man shot by two Milwaukee police officers Thursday night, Aug. 26, near 41st and Locust, held a candlelight vigil and balloon release Friday, Aug. 27, praying to ease their pain.

They're also calling for full transparency from police, as are protesters.

The People's Revolution marched from Sherman Park calling for the officers involved in all three police shootings over the last two weeks to be arrested.

The family of the latest man shot by police want answers too.

"All I know is I need some justice. I need to see the video, because I'm not happy right now," said mother Jacqueline Ratzel.

Earl Lawhorn's family lit candles and released balloons in his memory, as they tried to ease the pain of violently losing a family member.

"Lord we ask that you make sure that what went on yesterday will be wide open so that we can see, and we will have the transparency, what happened to our brother, our family, our cousin," prayed a family member.

Police say they saw Lawhorn driving recklessly Thursday night. They tried pulling him over, but he sped off, later crashing. Police chased him in their squad, and then ran after him after he crashed. That's when they say Lawhorn had a gun and refused orders to drop it.

"Refused to drop the gun after several commands, two officers discharged their firearms subsequently striking him," said Inspector Willie Murphy.

Lawhorn died at the hospital. Waukesha police have taken over the investigation while the family waits to see the evidence to understand why their son's life has ended.

"My son is never going to see his kids. My son is never going to get married. He's not having no more birthdays. I'm not ever going to see him, but the police officers, they're going home to their wives, their children," said Ratzel.

Police say they will release more at a future community briefing.

The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.