Was Jacob Blake A Lawbreaker?

Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot and seriously injured by police officer Rusten Sheskey in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 23, 2020. Sheskey shot Blake seven times in the back and side after he opened the driver's door of an SUV and attempted to reach inside. While Sheskey claimed self-defense, believing Blake was about to stab him, Blake's attorneys disputed this, stating that the police were the aggressors. Blake had a warrant for his arrest from July, based on charges of third-degree felony sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct for domestic abuse. The shooting sparked protests and unrest, with Blake's name invoked in rallies across the country as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Did Jacob Blake have a criminal record?

Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot and seriously injured by police officer Rusten Sheskey in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 23, 2020. Sheskey shot Blake four times in the back and three times in the side. Blake was left paralysed from the waist down and suffered damage to his stomach, kidney, liver, and intestines.

At the time of the shooting, Blake had a warrant out for his arrest based on charges of third-degree felony sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct for domestic abuse. He had also been accused of sexually assaulting the same woman in May 2020. 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 two counts of misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to two years of probation.

Was the shooting of Jacob Blake an act of police brutality?

On 23 August 2020, 29-year-old Jacob S. Blake was shot and seriously injured by police officer Rusten Sheskey in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Sheskey shot Blake four times in the back and three times in the side. The incident sparked protests and unrest in Kenosha and other cities, with Blake's name being invoked in protests as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Events Leading up to the Shooting

According to official sources, the police responded to a 911 call about a "domestic incident" at approximately 5:11 pm. The female caller referred to Blake as her "boyfriend", stating that he was not allowed to be on the premises and that he had taken her car keys and was refusing to return them. The dispatcher informed the officers that there was a "wanted" alert for someone at the address. Blake had a warrant for his arrest from July, based on charges of third-degree felony sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct for domestic abuse.

According to witnesses, Blake was trying to intervene between two women who were arguing when the police arrived. Officers attempted to subdue Blake, and two officers used tasers on him, but the tasers failed to disable him, and he continued toward the vehicle. A bystander who recorded the incident stated that they did not see any weapons in Blake's hands and that he was not being violent. However, the police union asserted that Blake was armed with a knife in his left hand, which the officers did not initially see, and that he forcefully fought with them, ignoring orders to drop the knife.

The Shooting

After an initial scuffle, Blake walked to the driver's side of his girlfriend's rented vehicle, followed by Sheskey and another officer with their guns drawn. When Blake opened the driver's side door and leaned in, Sheskey grabbed him and fired seven shots towards his back. According to Blake's attorney, four of the shots hit Blake. Sheskey's attorney stated that Sheskey saw Blake put a child in the vehicle and heard a woman say, "He's got my kid. He's got my keys." Sheskey claimed he believed he was about to be stabbed and that he shot Blake because he thought he was attempting to kidnap the child and because Blake had a knife and twisted his body toward him.

The Aftermath

Blake was flown to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where it was determined that he was paralysed from the waist down. He also suffered a gunshot wound to one arm and damage to his stomach, kidney, and liver, resulting in the removal of most of his small intestines and colon.

Investigations and Legal Proceedings

The Kenosha police referred the investigation of the shooting to the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation. The findings were presented to district attorney Michael D. Graveley, who decided not to bring charges against Sheskey or the other officers involved. The US Department of Justice also conducted an investigation to determine if Blake's civil rights were violated but ultimately decided not to pursue federal civil rights charges against Sheskey, citing insufficient evidence.

Public Reaction and Protests

The shooting of Jacob Blake sparked widespread protests and unrest in Kenosha and other cities across the United States. People demonstrated against racial injustice and police brutality, with Blake's name being invoked in protests as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. Civil unrest in Kenosha included rallies, marches, property damage, arson, and clashes with police. Sports teams also went on strike in protest, refusing to play their scheduled games.

The shooting of Jacob Blake has raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement and the issue of systemic racism and injustice. While the investigations and legal proceedings did not result in charges against the officers involved, the incident has had a significant impact on public discourse and has led to a renewed push for police reform and accountability.

What was the immediate aftermath of the shooting?

The immediate aftermath of the shooting of Jacob Blake saw him flown to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where he was treated for his injuries. Blake was shot four times in the back and three times in the side, resulting in paralysis from the waist down, a gunshot wound to one arm, and damage to his stomach, kidney, liver, small intestines, and colon. He was initially handcuffed to his hospital bed and guarded by two officers due to an outstanding warrant, but the handcuffs were later removed and the officers stopped guarding him after he posted bond.

In the days following the shooting, protests and civil unrest erupted in Kenosha and other cities across the United States. In Kenosha, protesters set fires, looted businesses, vandalised the local courthouse, and clashed with police. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers denounced the excessive use of force by police and called for legislation to address police brutality. The National Basketball Association (NBA) and other American sports leagues boycotted games in protest of the shooting.

On August 25, 2020, a 17-year-old from Illinois, Kyle Rittenhouse, shot three men during a protest, killing two of them. Rittenhouse was later charged with first-degree intentional homicide but was acquitted of all charges in a unanimous jury verdict.

Did the police face any consequences?

On January 5, 2021, Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announced that the officers involved in the shooting of Jacob Blake would not face any criminal charges. Graveley stated that he believed the officers acted in self-defence and that it would be challenging to prove otherwise.

> It is my decision now that no Kenosha law enforcement officer will be charged with any criminal offense based on the facts and laws.

The officers involved in the shooting included Rusten Sheskey, Vincent Arenas, and Brittany Meronek. Sheskey, who shot Blake, returned to regular police duty in April 2021 and will not face any administrative discipline.

The decision not to charge the officers was met with disappointment and anger by Blake's family and community activists, who felt it was a slap in the face and further evidence of systemic racism. Benjamin Crump, an attorney for Blake's family, expressed his disappointment, stating that the decision:

> "...sends the wrong message to police officers throughout the country. It says it is OK for police to abuse their power and recklessly shoot their weapon, destroying the life of someone who was trying to protect his children."

In response to the decision, the Blake family and community organizers led a march in Kenosha, with Blake's uncle, Justin Blake, stating their determination to enact change.

In October 2021, the US Department of Justice also announced that it would not pursue federal civil rights charges against the officers involved, citing insufficient evidence.

What was the long-term impact on Jacob Blake?

The long-term impact on Jacob Blake has been profound and life-altering. Blake, who was shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 23, 2020, has been left with permanent physical disabilities and mental health challenges.

Blake suffered serious injuries, including damage to his spinal cord, colon, small intestine, kidney, and liver. As a result, he is paralyzed from the waist down and has neuropathy, causing sharp pain due to damaged nerves. He also had to have most of his small intestines and colon removed. Blake experiences full-body spasms that are agonizing and can last for several minutes, requiring the constant support of his family members.

The mental toll of the incident has also been significant. Blake has spoken about the constant pain he endures, affecting even basic activities like breathing and sleeping. He has also expressed anxiety and the need for psychological support.

Blake's ability to care for himself has been severely impacted. He requires assistance with daily tasks such as bathing and getting in and out of bed, relying primarily on his mother as his caregiver. He has also faced financial challenges, with a GoFundMe campaign set up by his family to support his medical care and other expenses.

The shooting has had a profound impact on Blake's family, particularly his six sons, who witnessed the incident. Blake's family has become actively involved in activism and the push for justice, standing alongside other families affected by police brutality. They have attended rallies, spoken at press conferences, and met with elected officials to advocate for police reform.

Blake himself has filed a civil lawsuit against the police officer who shot him, seeking justice and accountability. However, as of May 2022, he withdrew the civil suit, only to refile it in August 2023 and then voluntarily dismiss it again in September 2023. The officer involved in the shooting was not charged and returned to regular duty, causing further distress to Blake and his supporters.

Frequently asked questions