A peaceful protest in Neenah drew dozens of people out into the frigid elements today. They congregated to the site where Michael Funk was shot and killed after being held hostage at a motorcycle shop two weeks ago. Today his friends and family are still waiting for more details about his death.
As the Wisconsin Department of Justice continues their investigation into the shooting, few details are being released about what may have happened that day. We know police fired on Funk after not dropping his weapon and escaping from being held hostage but so many other questions remain unanswered.
For friends and family of Funk it's been a long two weeks since losing him. Just as painstaking though is all of the unanswered questions as to why.
"I have to do something. I can't just sit on my couch and watch the news and let it slowly trickle in. I want to know and this is the only thing I can do," says Funks daughter Athea Callahan.
Today in a show of solidarity those closest to Funk held a peaceful protest. All in an attempt to remind the community that they still don't understand how they lost their friend and father.
"How the only person that was killed in the whole incident was a hostage," says Callahan.
Last week the Neenah Police posted a video explaining that the investigation has to run its course before details are released.
"We're advocating for full release of all video statements and other evidence in this case as soon as practical," says Chief Kevin Wilkinson of the Neenah Police.
It’s the lack of details about the horrific day that makes it hard for those who were closest to Funk to hear.
"A lot of anger was caused and a lot of confusion," says Robert Elwood who knew Funk well.
Maybe by keeping the memory of the man known as M-L fresh in the minds of this community, they'll be able to get the answers they desperately are waiting for.
"Just to be able to have a little piece of mind and sleep better at night and understand why this went down the way it did," says Callahan.
Funk's daughter is asking authorities to release squad car video from the day of the standoff so that some questions could be clarified. But it could be months before authorities make that available.
