Protests erupt in Wisconsin after police shoot Black man in Kenosha
ByCox Media Group National Content Desk
ByCox Media Group National Content Desk
KENOSHA, Wis. — Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Wisconsin after a viral video appeared to show Kenosha police shooting a Black man in the back several times while officers responded to a reported domestic incident.
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Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Protesters link arms in front of a police line outside the Kenosha County courthouse Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin A protester stands on a car as they stop traffic Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Volunteers sweep up debris as police in riot gear stand outside the Kenosha County Court House Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin A small group of Black Lives Matter protesters hold a rally on the steps of the Kenosha County courthouse Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian tries to speak to protesters Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Police in riot gear stand outside the Kenosha County Court House Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin A protester sits on a car as they stop traffic Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Jake Loewen is seen cleaning up through a broken window at the Harborside Academy Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin A small group of Black Lives Matter protesters pray near the sight of a police shooting Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Police in riot gear stand outside the Kenosha County Court House Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Burned out vehicles are seen Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Burned out vehicles are seen Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Protesters walk past police with their arms up, late Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis., as a building burns in the background. Protests have erupted following the police shooting of Jacob Blake a day earlier. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin A protester stands in a cloud of tear gas near a burning garbage truck outside the Kenosha County Courthouse, late Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Police clash with protesters near the Kenosha County Courthouse, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Police clash with protesters near the Kenosha County Courthouse, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Portesters, police clash in Kenosha, Wisconsin Police clash with protesters near the Kenosha County Courthouse, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The shooting happened around 5 p.m. Sunday, according to The Associated Press. A video from the scene appears to show officers following the man, who was identified by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers as Jacob Blake, with their weapons drawn as Blake opens the door of an SUV. At least one officer could be seen firing several shots at the man’s back.
“Tonight, Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight, in Kenosha, Wisconsin,” Evers said in a statement late on Sunday. “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.”
Tonight, Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kathy and I join his...
Attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing Blake’s family, said Blake was shot in front of his three sons.
“Blake was helping to deescalate a domestic incident when police drew their weapons and tasered him,” Crump said. “As he was walking away to check on his children, police fired their weapons several times into his back at point blank range. Blake’s three sons were only a few feet away and witnessed police shoot their father.”
The shooting sparked protests, with some people setting cars on fire and smashing windows. Social media posts showed neighbors gathering in the nearby streets and shouting at police. Some could be heard chanting, “No justice, no peace!” Others appeared to throw objects at officers and damage police vehicles.
Officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting with the help of the Wisconsin State Patrol and Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, Kenosha police said.
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate the incident.
