News

Fresh clashes break out in Kenosha over the brutal shooting of Jacob Blake, vehicles & property set ablaze

A black man identified as Jacob Blake was shot multiple times by cops earlier this week. The viral video has sparked outrage in Kenosha, Wisconsin with people demanding justice for police brutality.

By Salwa Farooqui
Jacob Blake

Jacob Blake, 29 a resident of Kenosha Wisconsin was shot several times on Sunday as his children
watched from inside a vehicle. The whole incident was recorded by Blake’s neighbor Raysean White who posted the video Twitter leading to a massive uproar in the US county. There have been fresh clashes reported for a second night in Wisconsin, with buildings and cars set alight.

The United States is still reeling from the massive Black Lives Matter movement that erupted after the brutal killing of George Floyd in Minnesota in May. The incident shed further light on the police officials’ long history of brutality and racism against black people. Multiple protests and demonstrations across the US and in many cities internationally prompted a wider address on racism by US law enforcement.

According to the family’s attorney Ben Crump, Jacob Blake is currently in stable condition in an intensive care unit. Governor Tony Ever has called up the National Guard to aid local police in the matter. Kenosha police have asked the Wisconsin Division of  Criminal Investigation to take over the investigation. The findings will go to District Attorney Michael D. Graveley who will determine whether to bring any charges against the officers.

What Happened

According to the Kenosha Police, a domestic incident was reported at about 5.11 pm on Sunday. The shooting unfolded on a residential street packed with apartment buildings. Speaking about the incident with CNN, White says he saw Blake get off his truck and approach his son. Blake told his son to get inside the truck while he walked into the apartment building behind a woman. However, after coming back, White says the scenes drastically changed when police began wrestling with Blake.

“One of them had him in a headlock and was punching him in his ribs, the other had him in a headlock on the other side of him and was pulling his arm. After they punched him in his rib, the female officer Tased him, and Jacob kind of leaned on the car and they proceeded to wrestle him toward the back of the car and he went to the other side of the car. When they were on the other side of the car on the ground, I had to pick up my camera and start recording.”

In the video footage, a Black man can be seen walking around the front of an SUV with two officers who grab his shirt and seven shots are heard. “The officer that shot him, he got on his knees,” White told CNN. “He was trying to help him. He put his blue gloves on. Backup came. The other officers tried to help him.”

“The police want everybody to know they’re out here to protect and serve, but you guys are constantly giving us — Black people, in particular — reasons not to let you guys protect and serve,” White said. “We don’t want you guys around because we are scared for our lives. You come to an incident to disarm an argument, and this Black man gets shot. It wasn’t supposed to go down that.”

A curfew has been imposed in Kenosha from 01:00 GMT and will last until 7:00 on Tuesday. However, some protestors have defied the imposed curfew.

Government response to Jacob Blake shooting

In a press release, Governor Evers said the limited mobilization of the National Guard was to help local law enforcement “protect critical infrastructure” and make sure people could demonstrate safely. Reports suggest up to 200 members of the National Guard have been deployed.

Hundreds of people had previously marched on police headquarters on Sunday night to condemn the shooting. Governor Evers has condemned the shooting, saying Mr. Blake was “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.”

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Monday released a press statement calling for a full and transparent investigation of the shooting.  Along with activists, Madonna also shared the video on her Instagram story. NBA star LeBron James took to his social media to condemn the shooting. “This s**t is so wrong and so sad!! Feel so sorry for him, his family, and OUR PEOPLE!! We want JUSTICE,” he tweeted.

For More News Update, Stay tuned to Madam 360

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Privacy Policy