A black man trying to break up a fight between two women was shot in the back by one of several white cops responding to a domestic disturbance call when he entered a van occupied by his three young children, touching off several nights of rioting and peaceful protests.
Buildings and vehicles were burned, and injuries were reported.
Witness video shows Jacob Blake climbed into the driver’s seat, then the cop grabbed his shirt and fired 7 shots into his back at point-blank range. The gunfire severed his spinal cord, paralyzing him below the waist. The incident occurred at 5:11 pm CST on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Blake was “shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight … 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.” The Milwaukee Police Association said, “Gov. Evers does not know all the facts. Let investigators do their job and investigate.”
Milwaukee police weren’t involved in the incident, but police unions have been in the forefront of protecting violent cops and keeping them on the job.
It appears this officer acted according to his training. Blake probably was shot because the cop believed he was about to drive off, and possibly run over other officers in front of the vehicle. That could complicate any efforts to prosecute the cop. But Blake’s family said he was only checking on his children inside the van.
A witness thought she may have heard the police say, “Drop the knife!” but at this point there’s no reason to believe he had a knife or other weapon. None is visible in any of the videos that have surfaced.
Whatever the circumstances, the case is certain to generate intense controversy, because Blake committed no crime and was only there to make peace between arguing individuals. The Kenosha police department hasn’t released the officer’s name. The investigation has been turned over to state authorities.
Read story here. (Last updated 8/25/20)
Videos: The shooting (above), and riots and protests (below).