KENOSHA, WI (WTAQ) – No Kenosha police officers will be charged in connection to the shooting of Jacob Blake. That announcement was made Tuesday afternoon by District Attorney Michael Graveley. In that press conference, Graveley said he had informed Blake of the news before making the public announcement.
Officer Rusten Sheskey shot Blake in the back as he reached into his vehicle during a confrontation back in August.
The state Department of Justice investigated the shooting, as state law requires outside agencies to investigate all officer-involved incidents. Those investigations reported only that officers saw a knife on the floor of Blake’s SUV, and not whether he had threatened anyone with the weapon. Officers were not wearing body cameras during that incident.
The shooting sparked protests that continued throughout the city for several days. Concerns over a similar reaction were addressed ahead of the decision announcement, as concrete barriers and metal fencing was placed around the Kenosha County Courthouse last night.
The Kenosha Common Council also unanimously approved an emergency resolution on Monday, allowing the mayor to set curfews.
Meanwhile, Governor Tony Evers activated 500 National Guard members to help Kenosha authorities if there is another strong retaliation tonight, in the wake of the announcement.
