Shooting of Jacob Blake

Jacob S. Blake is a 29-year-old African-American man who was shot by police in August 2020. He was hit by four of seven shots fired at his back during an arrest by police officer Rusten Sheskey. Blake did not die, but he cannot move his body below his waist.  He is paralyzed.

The shooting happened in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 23, 2020, as officers were attempting to arrest Blake. There was an arrest warrant against Blake for criminal trespass, domestic abuse, and sexual assault. 

During the encounter, Blake was tasered and scuffled with officers. He was shot as he opened the driver's door to his SUV and leaned in. Three of Blake's sons were in the backseat. 

The shooting was followed by protests, property damage, arson, and shooting deaths in downtown Kenosha.

Both the state of Wisconsin and the U.S. federal government decided not to charge police officer Rusten Sheskey with a crime for the shooting.

References

Category:2020 in Wisconsin
Category:August 2020 events
Category:2020 controversies
Category:Controversies in the United States