Eisspeedway

Shooting of Jacob Blake

Shooting of Jacob Blake
Image of Blake falling into the vehicle after the 5th shot
DateAugust 23, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-08-23)
Timec. 5:15 pm[1] (CDT)
LocationKenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.
Coordinates42°36′02.3″N 87°50′35.8″W / 42.600639°N 87.843278°W / 42.600639; -87.843278
TypePolice shooting
ParticipantsOfficer Rusten Sheskey of the Kenosha Police Department
Non-fatal injuriesGunshot wounds; paralyzed from the waist down; damage to stomach, kidney, and liver; most of small intestines and colon removed.
ChargesNone

On August 23, 2020, Jacob S. Blake, a 29-year-old black man, was shot and seriously injured by police officer Rusten Sheskey in Kenosha, Wisconsin.[2] Sheskey shot Blake in the back four times and the side three times[3] after Blake opened the driver's door of an SUV belonging to the mother of his children, and attempted to reach inside.[4][5] Sheskey said that he believed he was about to be stabbed, since Blake was holding a knife.[6][7] Earlier during the encounter, Blake had been tasered by two officers, but the tasers failed to disable him and he continued toward the vehicle.[8][9]

Blake had a warrant for his arrest from July, based on charges of third-degree felony sexual assault[note 1] and trespassing and disorderly conduct for domestic abuse in May.[10] Both Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis and the Kenosha Professional Police Association stated that the officers dispatched on August 23 were aware of the pending warrant for Blake before they arrived on scene; dispatch records confirm this.[11][12][13][14]

The police shooting was followed by unrest, which included rallies, marches, property damage, arson, and clashes with police. Two men were fatally shot by an armed civilian, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse from Antioch, Illinois. Blake's name was invoked in protests in other cities as part of the Black Lives Matter movement, which resurged in the wake of several high-profile killings by police officers in 2020.[15]

In January 2021, Kenosha County prosecutors announced that the officers involved in the shooting would not be charged, and Sheskey returned to regular police duty in April 2021.[16]

Prosecutors also announced that Blake would not face any new charges.[17][18] They dropped previous sexual assault and trespassing charges against Blake in exchange for him pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct for domestic abuse, for which he was sentenced to two years of probation.[19][20]

Shooting

The site where police shot Blake, 5 days after the incident

On August 23, 2020, Kenosha police responded to a 9-1-1 call about a "domestic incident" at approximately 5:11 p.m. According to multiple official sources, the female caller referred to Blake as her "boyfriend", said he was not permitted to be on the premises, and that he had taken her car keys and was refusing to give them back.[21][22] Officers were also informed by the dispatcher that there was a "wanted" alert for someone at the address, indicated by police code 10–99.[23] Blake had a warrant for his arrest from July, based on charges of third-degree sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct for domestic abuse in May.[10] The woman who called 9-1-1 on August 23 to report that Blake had stolen her keys was the same woman who had previously filed the criminal complaint alleging that Blake had sexually assaulted her.[11] Both Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis and the Kenosha Professional Police Association stated that the officers dispatched on August 23 were aware of the pending warrant for Blake before they arrived on scene.[11][12][13]

One witness said that Blake pulled his car up near "six or seven women shouting at each other on the sidewalk" and "Blake did not say anything to the women".[24] According to other witnesses, Blake was trying to intervene between two women who were arguing when police arrived.[15][25] Officers attempted to subdue Blake, and two officers used tasers on him.[26][15][27] A bystander who recorded a video of the incident told reporters that he heard police yelling "drop the knife". The bystander also stated, "I didn't see any weapons in his hands; he wasn't being violent".[28] The police union said that Blake was armed with a knife in his left hand, but officers did not initially see it, and he "forcefully fought with the officers, including putting one of [them] in a headlock", while ignoring orders to drop the knife.[29] "Based on the inability to gain compliance and control after using verbal, physical and less-lethal means, the officers drew their firearms," the police union added.[25][30]

One of Blake's attorneys disputed this version of events, calling it "overblown", and saying that the police officers were the aggressors and immediately became physical with Blake upon arriving at the scene.[31]

After an initial scuffle, Blake walked to the driver's side of his girlfriend's rented vehicle, followed by officer Rusten Sheskey and another officer with handguns drawn. Sheskey attempted to grab Blake, and when Blake opened the driver's side door and leaned in, Sheskey grabbed him and fired seven shots towards Blake's back.[15][32] According to Blake's attorney, four of the shots hit Blake.[33][34][35][36] According to Sheskey's attorney, Sheskey saw Blake put a child in the vehicle as he arrived, and heard a woman say, "He's got my kid. He's got my keys"; Sheskey shot Blake believing he was attempting to kidnap the child in the backseat of the vehicle he was entering, and because Blake had a knife in his hand and twisted his body toward Sheskey.[37][38] In a press conference on August 26, 2020, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said that a knife was recovered from the driver-side front floorboard of the car Blake was leaning into when he was shot in the back. Kaul also said that Blake "admitted that he had a knife in his possession."[39] The prosecutor who oversaw the investigation said that Blake admitted to holding a knife and that statements from officers and witnesses had indicated that Blake turned toward officer Sheskey with the knife immediately before the shooting.[40] According to Blake, he intended to put the knife in the SUV and then lie on the ground to submit to the police officers. He said he "wasn't thinking clearly" and picked up a knife during the altercation, but denied having the intent to use it.[6] He was shot within three minutes of the police arriving.[1]

Medical aftermath for Blake

Blake was flown to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.[27] His father announced on August 25 that Blake was paralyzed from the waist down and that doctors do not yet know if it would be permanent.[41] He also suffered a gunshot wound to one arm and damage to his stomach, kidney, and liver; he had to have most of his small intestines and colon removed.[42] Blake was initially handcuffed to his hospital bed and guarded by two officers due to an outstanding warrant. The handcuffs were removed and the officers stopped guarding Blake after he posted bond.[43][44]

As of August 2021, Blake said in an interview that he was able to take a few steps, "which he compared to sliding his legs through a woodchipper", and that he was suffering from anxiety attacks.[45]

Kenosha police referred the investigation of the shooting to the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation. The investigation's findings went to district attorney Michael D. Graveley, the local official responsible for deciding whether to bring charges against the officers. Graveley stated on August 25, 2020, that the investigation was in "its earliest stages".[46] On the same day, the United States Department of Justice also announced an investigation into the shooting. The investigation would look into whether Blake's civil rights were violated.[47] In October 2021, the Department of Justice announced it will not pursue federal civil rights charges against the officer, citing insufficient evidence that proves the officer willfully violated federal civil rights statutes.[48][49][50]

Blake's family retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who also represented the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, to represent Blake in their civil suit.[51] Crump called for the officer who shot Blake to be arrested, and others involved to be fired.[52]

On August 26, Wisconsin attorney general Josh Kaul announced that officer Sheskey was the only officer who fired his weapon. All were placed on administrative leave.[53]

On August 28, the police union said that most narratives about the shooting were wholly inaccurate and purely fictional, including information from Blake's attorneys.[30] It also criticized a statement released by the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation, which led the investigation into the police shooting, as "riddled with incomplete information".[30]

On September 4, 2020, Blake pleaded not guilty to the July sexual assault charge, appearing via Zoom from his hospital bed.[54] In November 2020, Blake reached a deal with the prosecution where the charges of sexual assault were dropped in return for his pleading guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to two years of probation.[55]

On September 21, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul appointed a former sheriff of Madison, Wisconsin, to review the work of Wisconsin Department of Justice investigators and provide a written report to the Kenosha County District Attorney.[56]

On January 5, 2021, Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley, the top prosecutor in the county, declined to bring charges against police officer Rusten Sheskey. He said that investigators had reviewed 40 hours of video and hundreds of pages of police reports before making the decision.[57][17]

In April 2021, it was reported that Sheskey has returned to regular duty and will not face any administrative discipline.[16]

In October 2021, the US Department of Justice announced it would not be bringing civil rights charges against Sheskey.[58]

In May 2022, Jacob Blake withdrew his civil lawsuit against the officer who shot him.[59] He refiled his civil suit on August 23, 2023, but again voluntarily dismissed it on September 8, 2023.[60]

Reactions

Public

Ruins of a Mattress Shop and Danish Brotherhood Lodge burned during riots[61]

Protests followed, leading Kenosha County to declare a state of emergency overnight on August 24 after police vehicles were damaged, a dump truck set on fire, and the local courthouse vandalized. An officer was knocked down with a brick, and tear gas was deployed.[27][62][63] Police urged 24-hour businesses to consider closing because of numerous calls about armed robberies and shots being fired,[64] and the Wisconsin National Guard was deployed to maintain public safety. Up to 200 members were to be deployed.[65] On August 24, the protesters set fires and looted businesses for a second night.[66][67] On August 25, the protests and fires continued throughout Kenosha, and civilians armed with guns patrolled parts of the city.[68]

On August 25, a 17-year-old youth from Illinois shot three men during a protest, killing Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber.[69] Less than 2 hours after the shooting, shortly before 1:30 a.m. the following day,[70] Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old male, turned himself in to police in Antioch, Illinois. The youth was charged with first-degree intentional homicide.[71][72] His defense lawyers argued that the shootings were in self-defense.[73] On November 19, 2021, in a unanimous jury verdict, Rittenhouse was acquitted of all five charges.[74]

Public protests regarding Blake's shooting occurred in many other cities, including New York, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.[75]

Sports

Multiple professional sports teams went on strike in protest, refusing to play their scheduled games.[76] In the NBA Bubble, the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted their August 26 first-round playoff game against the Orlando Magic in protest of the shooting. The team decided not to come out of their locker room minutes before the scheduled start to the game.[77] Later that day, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association announced that in light of the Bucks' decision to refuse to play, all NBA games for the day were postponed.[78] This led to other boycotts from other American sports leagues, including the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), and Major League Soccer (MLS).[76]

Government

Trump's motorcade in Kenosha

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issued a statement denouncing the excessive use of force by police and invoking the names of African Americans killed by law enforcement.[79] Evers said, "While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country."[64] Evers called Wisconsin state lawmakers to a special session in order to pass legislation addressing police brutality.[80]

On August 24, 2020, Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes said the shooting was not an accident, and "This wasn't bad police work. This felt like some sort of vendetta taken out on a member of our community."[81] On the 2021 anniversary of the shooting, Barnes released a statement condemning how "systemic racism continues to ravage communities of color" and remembering how "Jacob Blake was shot in the back seven times in front of his children."[82]

Former Vice President and 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said "these shots pierce the soul of our nation" and called for an "immediate, full, and transparent investigation".[83] Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris spoke to Blake's father for an hour.[84] On September 3, Biden and his wife Jill met with multiple members of Blake's family at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport for 90 minutes; Blake joined the meeting by phone from his hospital bed. Biden then went to Kenosha to speak with members of the community at a local church. This was his first campaign trip to Wisconsin.[85] Harris spoke to Blake by telephone on September 7.[86]

President Donald Trump called the family, but Blake's mother Julia Black later apologized for missing the call,[87] while Blake's father said Trump had not tried to reach out.[84] Trump later said the shooting "was not a good sight. I didn't like the sight of it, certainly, and I think most people would agree with that."[88] Trump scheduled a trip to Kenosha on September 1 to see the damage caused by the protests and to meet with law enforcement,[89] but Governor Evers and Mayor John Antaramian asked him to reconsider his visit over concerns that his presence would hinder efforts to "overcome division".[90][91] Trump made the trip, accompanied by U.S. Attorney General William Barr, but he did not meet with Blake's family[91][88] because, he said, they wanted legal counsel present at the meeting.[92] They held discussions with the county sheriff, the chief of police, and others, and Trump promised financial help to city and state law enforcement, and to businesses which had been burned down.[93] On September 9, Barr contrasted the murder of George Floyd with the Blake shooting, saying, "Floyd was already subdued, incapacitated in handcuffs and was not armed. In the Jacob case, he was in the midst of committing a felony and he was armed."[94]

Explanatory notes

  1. ^ There are four degrees of sexual assault in Wisconsin, based upon the harm done to the victim and the amount of force used by the perpetrator. Third-degree sexual assaults are felonies. See "Definitions and Wisconsin Laws". University of Wisconsin. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2020.

References

  1. ^ a b Jones, Meg; Taschler, Joe (August 25, 2020). "Less than 3 minutes passed between when Kenosha police arrived and when Jacob Blake was shot, according to dispatch audio". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  2. ^ Ailworth, Erin; Wernau, Julie; Otani, Akane (August 27, 2020). "Wisconsin Identifies Officer Who Shot Jacob Blake". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  3. ^ "No charges against Wisconsin officer who shot Jacob Blake". AP News. April 20, 2021. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  4. ^ Sanchez, Ray (January 11, 2021). "Investigative report offers up-close look at Jacob Blake shooting in Wisconsin". CNN. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  5. ^ Barrett, Joe (October 10, 2021). "Jacob Blake Shooting: What We Know About the Shooting in Kenosha". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on November 6, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Andone, Dakin. "Jacob Blake says he 'didn't want to be the next George Floyd' in first interview since he was shot by police". CNN. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  7. ^ Allemand, Alyssa (January 14, 2021). "Jacob Blake Says He Was Going To Surrender to Police After Putting Pocket Knife in His Car". Wisconsin Public Radio. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "2 officers fired tasers at Jacob Blake before he was shot, Wisconsin Justice Department says". CBS News. August 28, 2020. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  9. ^ "Two police officers tried to stop Jacob Blake with tasers: Wisconsin Justice Department". Reuters. August 28, 2020. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Vielmetti, Bruce. "Jacob Blake, shot by police in Kenosha, sentenced to probation in earlier case". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c Eligon, John; Mervosh, Sarah; Jr, Richard A. Oppel (August 28, 2020). "Jacob Blake Was Shackled in Hospital Bed After Police Shot Him". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Police association: Jacob Blake physically struggled with officers before shooting". Green Bay: WBAY-TV. August 28, 2020. Archived from the original on January 4, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Richmond, Todd (August 28, 2020). "Kenosha police union gives its version of Jacob Blake shooting". KARE-TV. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  14. ^ Graveley, Michael D. (January 5, 2021). "Report on the Officer Involved Shooting of Jacob Blake". Kenosha County Records. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  15. ^ a b c d Peiser, Jaclyn; Berman, Mark; Guarino, Mark; Firozi, Paulina; Witte, Griff (August 24, 2020). "After video shows Wisconsin police shooting a Black man multiple times, National Guard is called to Kenosha". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 25, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  16. ^ a b Vielmetti, Bruce (April 13, 2021). "Kenosha police officer who shot Jacob Blake in the back returns to work, will not face discipline". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021 – via USA Today.
  17. ^ a b "Kenosha officer will not be charged in Jacob Blake's shooting, DA says". WTMJ-TV. January 5, 2021. Archived from the original on March 26, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  18. ^ Vera, Amir; Parks, Brad. "Officer who shot Jacob Blake will not face charges, district attorney says". CNN. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  19. ^ Jimenez, Omar; Sutton, Joe (November 7, 2020). "Jacob Blake reaches plea deal in domestic case". CNN. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  20. ^ "Sexual assault charge against Jacob Blake dismissed in plea agreement". NBC News. November 6, 2020. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  21. ^ Chavez, Nicole. "What we know so far about Jacob Blake's shooting". CNN. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  22. ^ Freiman, Jordan; Carissimo, Justin (August 25, 2020). "Police in Wisconsin Shoot Black Man in Back Multiple Times, Sparking Protests". CBS News. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  23. ^ Jones, Meg; Taschler, Joe. "Jacob Blake was shot less than 3 minutes after Wisconsin police arrived at the scene, according to dispatch audio". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  24. ^ Householder, Mike; Webber, Tammy (August 24, 2020). "Kenosha, Wisconsin Shooting: Police Shoot Black Man From Behind; Protests Erupt With State Of Emergency Declared". ABC7. Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  25. ^ a b Richmond, Todd (August 28, 2020). "Kenosha police union gives its version of Blake shooting". Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  26. ^ "2 Police Officers Tried To Stop Jacob Blake With Stun Guns: Wisconsin Justice Department". CBC News. August 28, 2020. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  27. ^ a b c Bowman, Emma (August 24, 2020). "Wisconsin Police Shooting Leaves Black Man In 'Serious Condition'". NPR. Archived from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  28. ^ Pramuk, Jacob (August 24, 2020). "Joe Biden Says Kenosha Cops must be held accountable' for shooting Black man Jacob Blake in the back". CNBC. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  29. ^ Eligon, John; Mervosh, Sarah; Oppel, Richard A. Jr. (August 28, 2020). "Jacob Blake Was Shackled in Hospital Bed After Police Shot Him". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  30. ^ a b c Schaper, David (August 28, 2020). "Police Union In Kenosha, Wis., Provides Account Of Jacob Blake Shooting". NPR. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  31. ^ Chavez, Nicole; Sanchez, Ray; Andone, Dakin (August 28, 2020). "Jacob Blake attorneys deny police union allegations of fight with officers before shooting". CNN. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  32. ^ Flores, Terry (August 23, 2020). "WATCH NOW: State DOJ Will Probe Officer-Involved Shooting; Man In Serious Condition". Kenosha News. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  33. ^ McDermid, Brendan; Maturen, Stephen (August 27, 2020). "Wisconsin investigators say knife found at scene of police shooting of Jacob Blake". Reuters. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  34. ^ "Two killed by gunfire as Kenosha protests erupt in violence". News. Al Jazeera. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on September 9, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  35. ^ "Two dead as gunfire erupts at Wisconsin protests over the shooting of Jacob Blake". CNBC. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  36. ^ "Teenager arrested over Wisconsin protest killings as Trump says he is sending in federal troops". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  37. ^ "Kenosha Officer Thought Jacob Blake Was Trying To Abduct Child And Said Blake Turned Toward Him With Knife, His Lawyer Says". Chicago Tribune. September 28, 2020. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  38. ^ Glover, Scott (September 25, 2020). "Lawyer Says Cop Shot Jacob Blake After Hearing A Mother's Desperate Plea: 'He's Got My Kid. He's Got My Keys'". CNN. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  39. ^ Mcdermid, Brendan; Maturen, Stephen (August 27, 2020). "New Details in Police Shooting of Jacob Blake: A knife Was Found at the Scene". National Post. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  40. ^ Chiarito, Robert; Bosman, Julie; Eligon, John (January 5, 2021). "Jacob Blake Shooting: No Charges Against Officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  41. ^ Proctor, Clare (August 24, 2020). "Jacob Blake's father says son's paralyzed from waist down after police shooting in Kenosha". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  42. ^ Chavez, Nicole; McLaughlin, Eliott C.; Maxouris, Christina (August 25, 2020). "Jacob Blake needs 'a miracle' to walk again after Kenosha police shot him, attorney says". CNN. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  43. ^ Kates, Graham (August 28, 2020). "Jacob Blake no longer handcuffed to his hospital bed, attorney says". CBS News. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  44. ^ Bellware, Kim; Craig, Tim; Berman, Mark; Witte, Griff (August 28, 2020). "In Kenosha, Jacob Blake's shooting deepens longstanding resentments and fears". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  45. ^ "Jacob Blake, paralyzed in Kenosha police shooting, hopes to walk soon. But he fears more violence". USA Today. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  46. ^ Vera, Amir; Jorgensen, Sarah; Sandoval, Polo (August 25, 2020). "Man who recorded Jacob Blake's shooting says he's traumatized and cannot sleep". CNN. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  47. ^ Campbell, Josh (August 25, 2020). "Federal investigators reviewing police shooting of Jacob Blake". CNN. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  48. ^ Lynch, Sarah N.; Singh, Kanishka (October 9, 2021). "U.S. will not pursue charges against police officer over Jacob Blake shooting". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  49. ^ "Department of Justice declines to charge officer who shot Jacob Blake". CBS News. October 8, 2021. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  50. ^ "Officer who shot Jacob Blake won't face civil rights charges, DOJ says". ABC News. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  51. ^ Rogan, Adam (August 24, 2020). "Jacob Blake's family has retained prominent Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump". Kenosha News. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  52. ^ Householder, Mike; Bauer, Scott (August 25, 2020). "Lawyer: Blake not likely to walk again after shot by police". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  53. ^ "Police officer named in Jacob Blake shooting". BBC News. August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  54. ^ "Jacob Blake makes court appearance from hospital". BBC News. September 5, 2020. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  55. ^ "Jacob Blake, shot by police in Kenosha, reaches plea in earlier assault case". Chicago Tribune. November 9, 2020. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  56. ^ "Noble Wray to Review Jacob Blake Shooting Investigation". WKOW. September 21, 2020. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  57. ^ Chiarito, Robert; Bosman, Julie; Eligon, John (January 5, 2021). "Jacob Blake Shooting: No Charges Against Officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  58. ^ "Feds won't seek charges against cop in Jacob Blake shooting". AP NEWS. October 8, 2021. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  59. ^ "Jacob Blake withdraws his lawsuit against Rusten Sheskey, the Kenosha officer who shot him in the back". May 9, 2022. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  60. ^ GAITAN, DANIEL (September 12, 2023). "Jacob Blake dismisses lawsuit against Kenosha, officers". Kenosha News. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  61. ^ Maybin, Aaron (August 26, 2020). "'Broke his jaw:' Man in his 70s attacked while trying to protect burning Kenosha mattress store". Milwaukee: Fox 6. Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  62. ^ Gabbatt, Adam; Bekiempis, Victoria (August 24, 2020). "Protests in Wisconsin after video appears to show police shooting black man in the back". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  63. ^ Carson, Sophie; Jones, Meg (August 24, 2020). "Several fires burning in Kenosha as unrest continues after police officer shoots Black man". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  64. ^ a b "Kenosha shooting: Protests erupt after US police shoot black man". US & Canada. BBC News. August 24, 2020. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  65. ^ "National Guard deployed after US police shooting". BBC News. August 24, 2020. Archived from the original on August 26, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  66. ^ Flores, Terry (August 25, 2020). "Authorities respond to multiple fires, vandalism and looting as Kenosha reels from Blake shooting". Kenosha News. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  67. ^ Flores, Terry (August 24, 2020). "In Photos: Rioters set fires in Kenosha". Kenosha News. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  68. ^ Becket, Louis; Wong, Charlie; Bekiempis, Victoria (August 26, 2020). "Armed white men patrolling Kenosha protests organized on Facebook". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  69. ^ Bekiempis, Victoria; Gabbatt, Adam (August 27, 2020). "Teen charged in killings of two people considered himself a militia member". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  70. ^ "'I shot two white kids': New records detail Kyle Rittenhouse's surrender to hometown cops, path of AR-15 rifle used in Kenosha". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. October 30, 2020. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  71. ^ Bosman, Julie (November 10, 2021). "Kyle Rittenhouse idolized the police and styled himself as an emergency medic". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  72. ^ Melendez, Pilar; Bredderman, William; Del Vecchio, Grace (August 26, 2020). "17-Year-Old 'Blue Lives Matter' Fanatic Charged With Murder at Kenosha Protest". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on August 26, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  73. ^ "Antioch teen Kyle Rittenhouse appears in court on murder charges for Kenosha protest shooting, lawyers say he acted in self-defense". ABC 7 Chicago. August 28, 2020. Archived from the original on August 31, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  74. ^ St. Clair, Stacy; Gutowski, Christy; Keilman, John; Buckley, Madeline (November 19, 2021). "A unanimous jury leaves the nation still divided". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  75. ^ Radcliffe, J.R. (August 25, 2020). "Here's what it looked like in cities around the country during protests for Jacob Blake". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  76. ^ a b Gregory, Sean (August 27, 2020). "Why Jacob Blake's Shooting Sparked an Unprecedented Sports Boycott". Time. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  77. ^ Bontemps, Tim; Andrews, Malika (August 26, 2020). "Bucks boycotting Game 5 vs. Magic, source says". ESPN. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  78. ^ "NBA postpones playoff games" (Press release). NBA. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  79. ^ Jacobo, Victor (August 23, 2020). "Gov. Evers releases statement on shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha". Milwaukee: WDJT-TV. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  80. ^ Beck, Molly (August 24, 2020). "Tony Evers calls special session on reducing police brutality after shooting of Jacob Blake". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  81. ^ "'Shot 7 Times in Front of His Children': Lt. Governor of Wis. Says Police Shooting Not an Accident". NBC Chicago. August 24, 2020. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  82. ^ "Aug. 23: Marking 1 year since Jacob Blake police shooting". WISN. August 23, 2021. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  83. ^ Radcliff, J.R. (August 24, 2020). "Prominent Figures React to the Jacob Blake Shooting in Kenosha, Including Joe Biden". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  84. ^ a b Cole, Devan (August 28, 2020). "Jacob Blake's father says his conversation with Biden and Harris was like 'speaking to my uncle and one of my sisters'". CNN. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  85. ^ Jansen, Bart; Submaranian, Courtney (September 3, 2020). "Biden describes talk with Jacob Blake during Kenosha visit: 'He talked about how nothing was going to defeat him'". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  86. ^ Bernstein, Brittany (September 8, 2020). "Kamala Harris Told Jacob Blake She Was 'Proud' of Him, Lawyer Says". Yahoo Sports. Archived from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  87. ^ Jankowicz, Mia (August 27, 2020). "Jacob Blake's mother said Trump tried to call her about her son's shooting, but she missed it". Insider. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  88. ^ a b Subramanian, Courtney; Jackson, David (August 31, 2020). "Trump has no plans to meet with Jacob Blake's family on Kenosha visit, White House says". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  89. ^ Hughs, Elliot. "Trump plans visit to Kenosha on Tuesday after Jacob Blake shooting, unrest". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  90. ^ Linton, Caroline (August 31, 2020). "Wisconsin governor asks Trump to "reconsider" Kenosha visit". CBS News. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  91. ^ a b Forgey, Quint (August 31, 2020). "Defying local leaders, Trump declares he will still visit Kenosha". Politico. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  92. ^ Vazquez, Maegan. "Trump says he won't meet with Jacob Blake's family because they wanted to involve lawyers". CNN. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  93. ^ "Trump announces police funds for Kenosha, state of Wisconsin; Trump roundtable with Kenosha law enforcement begins". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  94. ^ Miller, Donna (September 12, 2020). "Bill Barr Claims Jacob Blake Was 'Committing a Felony and Armed'". New York Post. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2020.