Blake was shot several times in the back on August 23. The shooting left him paralyzed from the waist down and provoked violent protests, riots and looting.
WARNING: Disturbing video: Kenosha police shot in video
The officer involved in the shooting, identified by authorities as Agent Rusten Sheskey, neither any other officer, nor Blake himself will face any charges, District Attorney Michael Gravely said Tuesday afternoon.
SEE: Kenosha DA announces the decision to charge
Seriously and his team took nearly two hours to contextualize what he called a “domestic incident.” He gravely described how the mother of Blake’s children, Laquisha Booker, called 911 to report that Blake had taken the keys to her rental car and planned to take off with the vehicle and her children. He played the audio of that 911 call to the press.
Police arrived knowing there was an arrest warrant for Blake and Gravely confirmed that Blake had a knife on them, which they admitted to state investigators.
SEE: Legal analysts debate Kenosha’s collection decision
Army use expert and former Madison police chief Noble Wray said officers’ actions that day were in line with police training and protocol.
“They had no choice but to take out the firearms after the physical measurements didn’t work,” Wray said.
He gravely argued that he would not be able to convince a jury that Officer Sheskey did not fear for his life at the time, or that evil would not reach others if he had not acted in self-defense.
“When there is enough information to increase self-defense, the burden of proof lies with the state, and the prosecutor refutes self-defense. Therefore, we should refute the clear expression of these agents who had to fire a gun. to defend themselves, they have to deny that negative, ”he said.
Sheskey and the other officers who were at the scene have been put on administrative leave and are still on administrative leave at this time, according to the police department.
RELATED: Kyle Rittenhouse, Antioquia teenager accused of murder in Kenosha protest shootings, pleads not guilty
“This really illustrates why they are so difficult to bring these cases against police officers because they have to show that the government should show that the police officer did not reasonably believe that a deadly force was needed to prevent his death or his serious bodily injuries and the evidence here, showed that there was a knife that I think was not in dispute, ”said Gil Soffer, ABC7 legal analyst. “And therefore the government must prove that the agent did not reasonably fear that Jacob Blake would use the knife against them. They clearly concluded that they could not prove it.”
Chicago and Wisconsin criminal defense attorney Anthony Burch said that if a jury looked at what happened here last summer it could determine police were criminally heavy.
“What was his level of threat? One way to describe it might not be for Mr. Blake to try to flee. It could have been argued, he was trying to turn off the situation,” Burch said.
Burch’s extraction of the prosecutor’s unusual public closure argument is that he could have won it at trial.
“The facts presented by the state’s attorney during this press conference could have been presented in a different way, where an author of facts would be able to present a guilty verdict against Sheskey officers,” he said.
He seriously called Blake personally to tell her that no charges would be filed. Blake’s family was heartbroken and furious.
“This is a slap in the face from the Wisconsin and DA government that perpetuates systemic racism. Where was the justice?” said Justin Blake, Jacob’s uncle. “It’s 2021; let’s call it all for what it is. He was a racist. He tried to murder my nephew. He should be fired, charged and convicted.”
They have been gone for months, demanding that charges be filed, but it did not happen.
“We’re unhappy with what was said today. We expected it; it didn’t clear us or jump out of our backs. We understood what would come when they called the National Guard,” said Blake’s father, Jacob Blake Sr. speaking in Chicago after the announcement.
Blake’s uncle, Kenosha’s family and community organizers led another march Tuesday night after the verdict.
“Every day we get up, put on our boots, and face the fight because we have no choice,” Justin Blake said.
SEE: Jacob Blake’s uncle reacts to the decision not to charge police officers
Blake’s lawyer said he was the victim that night and the video proves it.
“Shooting a person seven times while walking away from an agent constitutes all elements of intentional homicide,” said lawyer B’Ivory Lamarr.
There is an ongoing federal civil rights investigation into the shooting, and the family said they also intend to pursue a civil case.
SEE: Jacob Blake, Sr., speaks in Chicago
Justin Blake and activists also noted that while waiting for the outcome of Jacob’s case, this fight has always been bigger than Jacob Blake and Kenosha’s police.
“The power is on us to make changes, if you really believe in what this government is based on,” Justin Blake said in the protest.
Benjamin Crump, one of the lawyers representing Blake, issued a statement after the decision was announced, saying in part, “We are immensely disappointed by the decision of Kenosha District Attorney Michael Gravely not to charge the agents involved in this horrific shooting.We feel this decision failed not only Jacob and his family, but the community who protested and demanded justice.Off Officer Sheskey’s actions provoked outrage and defense across the country, but the district attorney’s decision not to charge the officer who shot Jacob in the back several times, leaving him paralyzed, further destroys confidence in our judicial system. the whole country. He says it’s okay for the police to abuse their power and recklessly fire the gun, destroying the lives of someone trying to protect their children. “
Kenosha City Council voted Monday night unanimously to approve an emergency declaration that would take effect immediately after the decision. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has also authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to help control any civil unrest.
Governor Evers issued a statement following the collection decision and said in part, “Today’s decision is further proof that our work is not over; we must work seriously every day towards a country and a fairer, fairer and more equitable state “. and to combat the racism experienced by black Wisconsinites. I hope there is peace and justice for Jacob, his family and the entire Kenosha community. I reaffirm my commitment to action to build a fairer and more equitable state for every Wisconsinite. And I ask those who will exercise their right to meet tonight and in the coming days to do so peacefully and safely. “
RELATED: Complete chronology of Jacob Blake’s shooting, protests and unrest
The cries for justice have spread for seasons. In a sweltering heat from summer to cold winter evenings, activists have taken to the snow-covered streets of Kenosha, demanding the officer’s dismissal.
“Depending on what has happened in our country, it probably won’t go in Jacob’s favor because they don’t value our lives. They value property and business,” said Tanya McLean, an activist for Kenosha leaders.
Mayor John Antaramian and police chief Daniel Miskinis said they are working on plans to protect peaceful protests and prevent riots such as those seen in the days following the shooting.
The Blake family led a small protest Tuesday night, but said bluntly that they did not support the violence following the decision.
SEE: Kenosha companies set up, preparing for possible civil unrest
Some Kenosha companies withdrew in anticipation of the collection decision.
“It’s an awkward feeling. We don’t know what’s going to happen,” Ajillian Burrell-Warfield said. Her husband was helping to reinstall tables to protect her hairdresser, Textures RX.
“I took them on vacation so I could decorate the holidays and try to get back to some normalcy,” Burrell-Warfield said.
They hope to be spared from repeating the civil unrest and destruction that took place weeks later.
“They ruined our windows, they ruined our teams,” said Colleen Gimik of Jackson Hewitt. “My hope is that people from outside our communities stay out of our community.”
Justin Blake said his nephew focuses on his recovery and the inspiration of his family. I wanted to encourage the community to come together to demand justice in their case. He said they were expecting charges in this case, but that they are demanding that the community be kept at peace.
“People have a right to be upset,” Justin Blake said. “We just ask them to get upset and make a lot of noise with the Blake family today, without being destructive.”
Kyle Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty He shot dead two people on Tuesday and injured a third during last summer’s riots in Kenosha.
Chicago police are also monitoring any falls following Blake’s decision.
In a statement, CPD said it is “closely monitoring events in Kenosha” and “adequate resources and staff will be maintained” to keep the city safe.
Copyright © 2021 WLS-TV. All rights reserved.