A black father remains hospitalized after police shot him several times in the back as he opened the door of a parked vehicle in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Graphic video emerged on social media and instantly went viral, sparking angry protests.
Identified as Jacob Blake, 29, was breaking up a fight when cops were called to the scene around 5pm.
After three officers confronted Blake, the unarmed father walked to a vehicle where his children were sitting inside. As he tried to enter, one officer shot him 7 times in the back.
Wisconsin Governor criticized the use of “excessive use of force” by police and spoke out on support of the man and his family; pledging in the coming days to demand action from state elected officials “who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long.”
The Wisconsin Department of Justice followed up with a statement this Monday (Aug. 24) that said: “Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is leading this investigation and is assisted by Wisconsin State Patrol and Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office,” the statement read. “All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation. The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave.”
The statement did not include the names of the officers who were involved in the shooting. It was also not stated how many officers were actually placed on leave.
