'See something, say something': Despite believed retaliation, family encourages others to speak up

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee family celebrates justice after they say they are seeing results after the community came together to demand accountability from local authorities.

"Your collaborative efforts ensured my mom's safety," Donnell Boose said on Monday, Nov. 20.

Boose told CBS 58 that his mother had lived in fear for weeks.

"She wasn't going to the store. She wouldn't even leave the house," he said.

Boose said her fear came from a man she claims shot toward her house being released from custody. He explained that his mother called 911 in January after seeing a convicted felon waving a gun at a vigil.

"He came to the house, said he was going to shoot it up, then the house got shot up. Then the police found his cellphone at the scene of the crime, so we were always under the impression they had it him, that he was in jail, that we were safe," Boose explained.

This month, they found out that the man was released, but they claim they were not notified by officials. That is when the family demanded accountability from the District Attorney, pushing for the man's return to jail.

"This is a convicted felon who has been on the run for 2.5 years for a felon in possession case. Then y'all give a PR bond for the same case," Boose said.

After demonstrating outside the district attorney's office, the family said the man was taken back into custody on Friday.

"They're looking into charging him with what he did at my mom's house, amongst other things, that he was alleged of having done," Boose said.

Boose and his family are now questioning the choices made by the courts, claiming a higher bail could have prevented this and other incidents.

"He was on probation and parole, got lower bail, and got out," Boose said.

Despite the delay, Boose said he is now happy his mother contacted the police that day in January and encourages others to do the same.

"Where I'm from, it's like a hidden rule we don't call the police, but you know what, I'm glad. I'm glad my mom did," he said.

"This was definitely something that needed to happen. Look at the message that was sent, see something, say something."