A police shooting caught on video has sparked protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a city on Lake Michigan between Chicago and Milwaukee. Police responded with force as demonstrators torched cars and set buildings ablaze, demanding justice in the shooting of Jacob Blake.
Two police officers are on leave as state authorities investigate why Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot multiple times in the back as he entered the driver’s side door of an SUV. Footage of the shooting was posted on social media by attorney Ben Crump, who represents Blake’s family.
Police said they were called to the address for a domestic disturbance; however, it is unclear what happened before the video recording began. The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, which is leading the shooting investigation, stated that Blake admitted he had a knife in his possession. Law enforcement agents recovered one from the driver’s side floorboard of his vehicle. Blake’s family has emphasized that he was no threat to officers.
As a result of the shooting, Blake was paralyzed. This incident follows ongoing demonstrations across multiple American cities decrying police violence, including the fatalities of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. On the night prior to Blake’s shooting, protests erupted in Lafayette, Louisiana, after police killed Trayford Pellerin, another Black man, outside a convenience store.
Trump tours a building that was damaged during the protests in Kenosha. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty ImagesTrump supporters demonstrate in front of the Kenosha Courthouse on September 1. Kerem Yucel/AFP/Getty ImagesA woman shows her support as protesters march down a street in Kenosha following Trump’s visit on September 1.
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Members of the National Guard stand inside a fenced area surrounding government buildings on August 27.
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Protesters gather on August 27. Kerem Yucel/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople listen to the Rev. Jesse Jackson on August 27 as he addresses protesters. Scott Olson/Getty ImagesA crowd marches in Kenosha on August 26. Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesProtesters raise their fists during a demonstration in Kenosha on August 26. Kerem Yucel/AFP/Getty ImagesA protester places a bottle at the scene where a person was fatally shot during demonstrations the night before. David Goldman/APPeople embrace at the site where a person was killed during protests. Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesA protester walks by a boarded-up store in Kenosha on August 26.
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Protesters march past a burned-out building that was damaged during protests.
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Kenosha Police Chief Dan Miskinis speaks at an August 26 news conference. Two people were fatally shot during protests the night before, and Miskinis said the shooting may not have happened if demonstrators and the accused gunman had obeyed the city’s newly imposed 8 p.m. curfew. Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesA man with a gun takes aim at another person during protests on Tuesday, August 25. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesAn explosive device detonates as a protester pushes back on an armored vehicle that was attempting to clear demonstrators away from the Kenosha County Courthouse.
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A protester obstructs an armored vehicle outside the Kenosha County Courthouse. David Goldman/APAuthorities disperse protesters from a Kenosha park on August 25. Morry Gash/APA protester takes cover during clashes outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on August 25.
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A protester tosses an object toward police during clashes outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on August 25.
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Letetra Wideman and Zanetia Blake, sisters of Jacob Blake, embrace during a news conference outside the Kenosha County Courthouse.
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People gather to protest on August 25. Morry Gash/APJacob Blake’s father, Jacob Blake Sr., speaks during a news conference on August 25. He described his son’s shooting as a “senseless attempted murder.” Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesPolice attempt to push back protesters outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday, August 24.
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A protester lights a cigarette on a garbage truck that was set on fire during protests. Morry Gash/APBurning structures are reflected in a building’s broken glass as a protester walks past on August 24.
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An American flag flies over a Department of Corrections building that was on fire during protests. Morry Gash/APA demonstrator uses a tennis racket to return a tear-gas canister toward police lines.
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People gather in front of the Kenosha County Courthouse to protest on August 24. Scott Olson/Getty ImagesPolice are pictured in riot gear outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on August 24.
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Demonstrators protest from cars on August 24. Scott Olson/Getty Images NorthPolice try to secure the Public Safety Building on August 24. Morry Gash/APProtesters confront police officers during a march in downtown Kenosha. Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Se/Imagn/USA TodayVehicles that were burned during protests are seen in Kenosha on August 24. Morry Gash/APJoe Loewen and Dan Noonan put boards over a broken window at the Harborside Academy. The windows were broken during protests on Sunday, August 23.
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A man rides a bike past a city truck that was set on fire on August 23. Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORKA man jumps over a tear-gas canister as he is fired upon with rubber bullets on August 23.
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Demonstrators stand in front of a line of police at the Public Safety Building. Sean Krajacic/THE KENOSHA (Wis.) NEWSPeople pound on the door of the Kenosha Police Department. Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORKProtesters break windows at the Kenosha County Administration Building. Sean Krajacic/THE KENOSHA (Wis.) NEWSA man confronts police outside the Kenosha Police Department on August 23. Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel//USA TODAY NETWORKIn this screengrab taken from video, police follow Jacob Blake as he walks to the driver’s side door of an SUV on August 23. He was shot a few moments later.
