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Protesters descended on the administration building in Kenosha County, Wisconsin on Tuesday evening, following the prosecutor’s decision not to charge one of the officers involved in the August shooting of Jacob Blake, according to a report.
“Seven hits on the back! No, that’s not fair!” some of the roughly 60 protesters chanted outside the building, Kenosha News reported.
National Guard troops stood nearby outside the courthouse, after Governor Tony Evers ordered them to deploy in anticipation of possible violence.
“Does this sound like a violent assembly to you?” a protester called the members of the guard over a megaphone. “Because you all look pretty stupid right now.
PROGRESSIVE, DEMOCRATS SLAM JACOB BLAKE FOR “ HYPOCRISIA ”
Activists show their support for Jacob Blake Jr. at a vigil near the Kenosha County Courthouse on January 4, 2021 in Kenosha, Wisconsin (Getty Images)
No cases of violence or vandalism were reported as of 9 p.m. PT, according to Kenosha News.
District Attorney Michael Graveley said Tuesday afternoon that Kenosha cop Rusten Sheskey, who allegedly shot Blake seven times during a domestic disturbance appeal on August 23, had good reason to defend himself. Blake was left paralyzed from the waist down.
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Blake’s shooting led to protests two nights later in which Illinois resident Kyle Rittenhouse, now 18, faces charges in connection with the gunshot deaths of two men and the injury of a third. On Tuesday, Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty.
In this Friday, September 4, 2020 image from Kenosha County Court video, Jacob Blake answers questions at a hearing in Kenosha, Wisconsin (Associated Press)
Meanwhile, Kenosha City Council on Monday voted 9-7 to increase the fine for inciting violence from $ 124 to $ 1,321. The council also unanimously approved a declaration of emergency in anticipation of protests related to the district attorney’s decision.
“Everyone saw the video,” Graveley said of the cell phone video of Blake’s shooting which went viral and sparked subsequent protests. “From their point of view, they tried this case from their computer screen in their living room. As a professional, I am called to know how to judge this case in a real courtroom.”
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“If you don’t think you can prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt, you have an ethical obligation not to lay charges,” he added at the press conference.
This undated photo provided by the Wisconsin Department of Justice shows Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey. (Associated press)
Graveley said Blake, 29, was armed with a knife that was not visible in the video footage and admitted to having one during the incident. Statements that he was unarmed contradict what Blake, who had an active felony warrant at the time of the shooting, told authorities, Graveley said.
A woman called 911 on August 23, claiming Blake refused to return the keys to a rental car. Video footage of the incident captured Blake walking away from the officer and around a vehicle with his children inside, and then being shot seven times.
Four bullets hit Blake in the back and three hit his left side, Graveley said.
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At one point, officers attempted to use a stun gun to stop Blake. Sheskey told investigators he opened fire because he was afraid Blake was trying to injure the children inside the vehicle.
Louis Casiano of Fox News contributed to this report.
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