Wisconsin’s prosecutors cleared a white police officer of criminal charges of shooting a black man, Jacob Blake, from behind in front of his kids, leaving the man paralyzed, and prompting nationwide protests against systematic racism.
Michael Graveley, Kenosha County District Attorney, found that while responding to an emergency call of August twenty-three, officer Rusten Sheskey acted in self-defense and shot Jacob Blake seven times from a close range, arguing that Blake was armed with a knife and resisted an arrest. Political experts have stated that the decision against prosecuting the officers present at the scene could also trigger protests across the country.
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But contrary to the predictions, the city of Kenosha braced for the decision, and not more than fifty people took to the streets with authorities prepared for unrest. Last summer showed Blake walking towards his car, and police officer Rusten Sheskey opened fire as he opened his car door.
However, investigators had conflicted the footage, saying that it was incomplete and was failing to prove that Blake resisted the arrest and armed with a knife. Graveley maintained that the victim refused to respond to the officer’s call to drop the weapon, which gave Rusten the right to act in self-defense. Investigators suggested that he turned towards the officer as he made his final call and thrust the knife towards the white officer, and maintained that this act was blocked by the car in the frame.
Noble Wray, former Madison Police Chief, who was appointed by the Department of Justice to review the investigation, stated that Sheskey fired a total of seven shots until Blake dropped the knife and maintained that it was a justified number following training received at officers academy.
As Blake’s attorney said that they would file a civil lawsuit against the officer involved, the prosecutor of Wisconsin; described the incident as tragic for the country. He further added that it was heartbreaking especially for Jacob Blake, who was paralyzed waist down following the injuries and shot in presence of his kids.
