There will be no charges brought against the Kenosha police officer that shot Jacob Blake, or any of the other officers involved in the incident back in Aug. 2020.
Wisconsin district attorney Michael Gravely made the announcement Jan. 6. He refused to file charges against the officer who fired his weapon, Rusten Sheskey, claiming there was no way to prove Sheskey did not act out of self-defense.
Sheskey, a white officer, shot 29-year-old Blake seven times in the back while responding to a domestic incident. Blake survived but was paralyzed from the waist down.
Gravely claims officers saw Blake with a knife, and that Blake himself admitted to having a knife, giving officers reason to fear for their safety. He reportedly called Blake himself to deliver the news, Blake’s family members said they felt disrespected, and angered by the situation.
“This is a slap in the face by the Wisconsin government and DA perpetuating systemic racism. Where was the justice? It’s 2021; we’re going to call everything for what it is. He was a racist. He attempted murder on my nephew. He should be fired, indicted, and convicted,” Justin Blake, Jacob’s uncle, told WLS.
Blake’s legal team also condemned the decision, reiterating their position that Blake was a victim of police brutality. And, that officers used excessive force when it was unnecessary. Attorney Ben Crump took to social media to call for justice.
“We are immensely disappointed and feel this decision failed not only Jacob and his family, but the community that protested and demanded justice,” Crump said in a statement. “We will continue to press forward with our own investigation and fight for systemic change in policing and transparency at all levels.”
This isn’t the news we hoped for, but our work is not done and hope is not lost. We must broaden the fight for justice on behalf of Jacob Blake and the countless other Black victims of racial injustice and police brutality. #JusticeForJacobBlake
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) January 5, 2021
Peaceful protesters took to the streets denouncing the DA’s decision. There were no reports of damage to the property. Despite this, police say they made four arrests in connection to the demonstration. And, barricades that were put in place to protect the city courthouse, will remain.
The Kenosha City Council unanimously voted to approve an emergency declaration, and Gov. Tony Evers authorized the Wisconsin National Guard, fearing days of social justice demonstrations, similar to protests over the summer.
This all comes, after 18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty, to killing two protesters, and wounding a third during August protests, Jan. 5. He’s charged with five felonies including intentional homicide. He was 17 during the incident.
Rittenhouse traveled from Illinois to Kenosha, Wis. armed with an AR-15-style rifle. He told police he was there to protect a used car business after protesters initially took to the streets following the shooting of Jacob Blake.
Social media photos and videos circulated online of Rittenhouse opening fire on protesters. He claims he fired in self-defense.
Republican and conservative lawmakers and figureheads called Rittenhouse a patriot who protected property, and helped to raise more than $2 million dollars to bail him out of jail. He has been staying with his mother, and lawyer at an undisclosed location. He is scheduled to appear in court virtually in mid-March. Reports say this is expected to be a very long trial.