( CNN ) -- The funeral for a mentally ill North Carolina teenager killed by police will take place Saturday , said his family , who refrained from adding to the simmering debate about whether the shooting was justified and instead tried `` to celebrate his life . '' Friends and family of Keith Vidal were invited to attend visitation services Friday at Brunswick Funeral Home , a short distance away from where the 18-year-old was killed . Vidal 's funeral will start at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southport , North Carolina , his family said Friday in a statement . `` We ask for and appreciate your support for the Vidal-Wilsey family , as they lay their child to rest , '' the family said . `` Your continued prayers and support are greatly needed and appreciated . '' Their grieving began Sunday , following a 911 call asking for police to help in dealing with a schizophrenic armed with a screwdriver and asking to fight his mother . `` He 's not doing very good , '' said the man on the 911 call . `` We 've got to get him someplace . '' In teen 's shooting , who do you believe ? Three law enforcement officers from three different agencies ended up at Vidal 's Boiling Spring Lakes home . Family members said the first two were able to calm the situation , but things quickly devolved after the third -- Detective Bryon Vassey from neighboring Southport -- came on the scene . Soon thereafter , Vidal was killed . His outraged family has called his shooting unconscionable , holding the Southport detective directly responsible . Vassey , through his lawyer W. James Payne , claims he acted as he did fearing there was an imminent and deadly threat to another officer , who they say was in danger of being stabbed by Vidal with the screwdriver . CNN first learned of the shooting through an iReport sent by a family friend . Vidal 's family , including his stepfather Mark Wilsey , spoke emotionally in the days after the shooting , blasting the Southport detective . But they have been relatively quiet since , even after Payne and the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association offered details that they say explain why the detective did what he did . And in its statement Friday , the family said it will maintain its silence -- declining `` to revisit the specific details '' and deciding `` to allow time for the investigative process to occur as it should . '' In addition to the state Bureau of the Investigation , the district attorney 's office for Brunswick County is probing the incident and could decide to press charges . `` We believe that justice for Keith will not be served by trying this case in the news , '' the family said . `` At this time , we have full faith in the judicial system and the ... district attorney 's office to investigate and evaluate this case and reveal the true facts surrounding the tragic death . '' The Vidal-Wilsey family added that , for now , they will try to focus on the `` wonderful memories '' they have . `` Keith was very much beloved by his family , friends and classmates , '' according to the statement . `` ( The family ) , and the community at large , need time now to grieve in peace and remember the Keith they knew and loved . ''
Visitation for Keith Vidal is Friday ; his funeral will be on Saturday . Vidal , who suffered from schizophrenia , was killed by a police detective . The detective claims he fired to defend another officer ; Vidal 's family blames him . Family says they 'll stay silent now , focusing on `` wonderful memories '' of Vidal .