KENOSHA, WI – Buckle up, Wisconsin: Looks like you’re up next for the “police are murderers” spotlight.
In the county about an hour from Chicago on Sunday evening, an incident was caught on camera involving police with the Kenosha Police Department shooting a black man, who is now listed as being in “stable condition.”
Police responded to a domestic disturbance around 5pm Sunday to the 2800 block of 40th Street. Witnesses who gathered at the shooting scene said the man was attempting to break up an altercation between two females.
Witnesses also said that the police attempted to use a taser on the man, later identified as Jacob Blake, before shooting, which video shows. The cell phone video also shows the man refusing to listen to commands of police and continuing to get into a car, reaching into the cab of the vehicle.
Sad. Jacob Blake looks like he could have been grabing a gun. He wouldn’t have got himself shot if he had just followed the cops’ reasonable instructions in Kenosha WI. pic.twitter.com/rkYxJr0Pkp
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) August 24, 2020
Police rendered aid to the man after the shooting and he was transported by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa.
Absolute chaos scene in #Kenosha Wisconsin and dude is just wandering around with the long gun like it’s a walk in the park. 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/Ab99WtZeaU
— Simulation Warlord🇺🇸 (@zerosum24) August 24, 2020
The incident will be investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. It’s been reported that Blake’s three children were in the car at the time of the shooting, but that report is unconfirmed at this time.
Riots have of course broken out over the incident.
I just spoke to Jacob’s cousin @PaulyG103 in the hospital. He said they need your prayers and not condolences. He is out of surgery and in the ICU. He can make it through this. He is fighting for his life. Please please please pray for Jacob Blake. #Kenosha #PrayForJacobBlake pic.twitter.com/vJnXQwg2Pd
— Daniel Poneman (@DanielPoneman) August 24, 2020
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has clearly made a decision regarding the justification of the incident, as he had the following to say about it:
“Tonight, Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight. While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.”
Outbreak of anti-police violence in Kenosha, Wisc. after a police-involved shooting of a black male. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Vf5efM5qIR
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 24, 2020
Things got chaotic so quickly that the Kenosha County declared an emergency curfew for 10:15 Sunday night, lasting through 7am Monday morning.
In a statement, the County said:
“The public needs to be off the streets for their safety.”
Kenosha News reported that a vehicle began loudly playing an NWA (apparently they’re a Compton, CA rap group called Niggaz Wit Attitude) song while police were investigating. The operator of the vehicle stopped the music multiple times to encourage the gatherers to shout and curse at police, which people did.
County Board Supervisor Zach Rodriguez arrived on scene and told reporters that this is why police should have body cams.
BREAKING VIDEO: Armed protesters have seized the police station in #Kenosha. pic.twitter.com/FgRCaC1yVm
— Anoncat Ⓐ☂️🏴 ➐ (@SirHelixUnknown) August 24, 2020
He said:
“This situation what happened here today, whether it ends up being justified or not, this highlights the need for the city, the mayor especially, to address the situation this year with this budget. And commit to all citizens to say that our officers are going to carry this equipment.”
Just this July, the Kenosha County Board voted 22-0 to include body cams in the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department’s budget next year.
Our comrades at Milwaukee Freedom Fund are providing support to protesters in Kenosha pic.twitter.com/87nHhKNyvO
— National Bail Fund Network (@bailfundnetwork) August 24, 2020
Shortly after, members from both the local Black Lives Matter movement and a representative from the Lake County movement showed up to take over the organization of the protests.
We all know what that means.
Now, there are riots occurring in the city.
HAPPENING NOW: Protests turning violent at scene of police shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Officers in riot gear in standoff with demonstrators; cop car windows smashed, rocks & incendiary devices thrown at police.
More: https://t.co/zXaozp8Pw3 pic.twitter.com/dwVnbuHh5x
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 24, 2020
Fires have been reported so far, as well as object being thrown at police. Police vehicles were damaged and fireworks were set off.
BREAKING VIDEO: Armed protesters have seized the police station in #Kenosha. pic.twitter.com/FgRCaC1yVm
— Anoncat Ⓐ☂️🏴 ➐ (@SirHelixUnknown) August 24, 2020
A podcaster named Koerri Elijah showed up to livestream the riots, where he said:
“Things have been very heated, tons of damage to cop cars, an officer was actually knocked out.”
A brick to the head is lethal force and a proper response is to shoot the brick thrower. This officer
could have been killed. Trump MUST declare this an insurrection and put it down. if he doesn’t, we will. Enough is enough. Stewart Rhodes https://t.co/bzxfSpQ4fu— Oath Keepers (@Oathkeepers) August 24, 2020
It appears as though an officer was knocked unconscious on the ground after being hit in the back of the head with a brick, and he was quickly surrounded by several other officers protecting him.
Massive street fire in Kenosha, Wisc. at the #BlackLivesMatter race riot. Video by @livesmattershow. pic.twitter.com/vg1TL1bXSv
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 24, 2020
The curfew was ignored by hundreds of rioters, who marched, biked, and drove to the Kenosha County Public Safety Building at around 10:15pm, chanting “no justice, no peace.”
Officers lined the building and were backed into a corner, at which point they set off tear gas into the crowd.
https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1297765198300737537
A city dumptruck, which was on scene to block traffic, was fully set aflame. Some of the less educated rioters were getting close to take photos and pose with the engulfed vehicle, until people yelled that it could explode. A tire exploded on the vehicle, temporarily scattering rioters.
Rioters in #Kenosha have broken into the courthouse & are setting fires; looting reported nearby
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 24, 2020
By around midnight, several hundred rioters remained, continuing to set fire to city vehicles, as well as starting a fire outside the courthouse and. Graffiti was also sprayed all over the courthouse condemning the shooting.
It’s getting worse, Armed Civilians up against a Bobcat SWAT Team transport #Kenosha #Wisconsin #CivilWar pic.twitter.com/nfDz9ExXw2
— doctor_claw85 (@Doctor_Claw85) August 24, 2020
They also broke into the court house and appeared to be attempting to start fires inside.
Around almost 2am, rioters armed with rifles shut down the streets. They stopped a County Sheriff’s armored vehicle.
This is insane. BLM rioters armed with semi-auto rifles have shut down the street in #Kenosha and ordered a Sheriff’s vehicle to stop. Video by @livesmattershow. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/cDhmOBG1p9
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 24, 2020
The police exit the vehicle and deploy a type of chemical agent to get the rioters out of the streets. Someone is heard off camera in the video above saying:
“Get ready to take that shit.”
Kenosha police shot Jacob Blake as he was trying to get into his vehicle. His children were inside of the vehicle.
This isn’t about “bad apples.” This is about a violent, murderous system with agents empowered and emboldened to shoot people in the back just because they can. https://t.co/eMxBAeS7F1
— Kirsten West Savali (@KWestSavali) August 24, 2020
Reportedly, domestic terrorists from the Black Lives Matter group have already doxxed the main officer online and called for violence against him. Out of respect for the officer and the investigation, Law Enforcement Today will not be printing his name until it’s released by the department properly and by protocol.
Kenosha courthouse is currently on fire 🔥 #JusticeforJacobBlake #JacobBlake pic.twitter.com/fIP9FvCPUJ
— mrmikefrost (@sumbodysaidthat) August 24, 2020
It’s likely that riots will continue in that area for the foreseeable future.
If you’re going to protest tomorrow, for Jacob Blake and Trayford Pellerin and for justice, please take steps to be as safe as possible. A lot of folks in Kenosha tonight seem to just be out in flip flops and t-shirts. Take steps to stay safe. pic.twitter.com/DhK2OoGya2
— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) August 24, 2020
Black Lives Matter are already training their militants and new recruits on how to properly cause chaos and destruction in the streets and against police.
“Say his name, Jacob Blake!” Portland protesters are enflamed after the Kenosha police shooting #Portland #PortlandProtests #Jacob #Kenosha pic.twitter.com/QOdBqhv2SH
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) August 24, 2020
Of course, Portland is using this incident to fuel their fires (literally and figuratively) as well. They claimed they’re going to “fucking tear this shit up today for you.”
We don’t doubt that.
Check back with Law Enforcement Today for updates on the situation in Kenosha and continuing coverage on Portland.
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