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Newly discovered video footage appears to show Jacob Blake tussling with at least two Kenosha, Wis., police officers prior to being shot Sunday evening.
The footage shows events that took place moments before Blake, 29, was shot seven times after disobeying officers’ commands and opening the driver’s door of his vehicle and reaching inside.
The footage, which was discovered by the Daily Mail, is taken from a different angle than the initial clip of the shooting that went viral after the incident.
While difficult to see, it appears as though Blake is on the ground battling at least two of three officers on the scene. Following the shooting, the department said the officers were called for a domestic disturbance.
In the video, a woman can be heard saying repeatedly, “Get my gun, get my gun.”
Towards the end, a younger female is heard screaming, “Mom, get back! Mom! You have to get back!”
Seconds later, Blake is seen walking around the front of his SUV and opening the door before seven shots ring out.
Reports have said that at least some of Blake’s children were in the vehicle at the time. It’s not clear what he may have been reaching for — likely officers believed he could have been reaching for a weapon — nor is it clear why he ignored their instructions even after the three officers pulled their weapons on him.
Details in officer-involved shooting of black father unknown, but riots start as governor blames cops https://t.co/FwbEcZvCVY
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) August 24, 2020
All of the officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard for most police departments. Also, the officers are said to be cooperating with the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which is investigating the shooting.
As has been the case all summer, the shooting sparked widespread protests that were marred by riots, destruction, and looting. Riots began Sunday evening but resumed again Monday, with businesses being burned to the ground, shops being looted, and public property destroyed.
Scenes of destruction; rioting, burning and violence follow officer-involved shooting in Wisconsin https://t.co/X2FuZPL8Y1
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) August 24, 2020
National Guard assist as rioters torch Wisconsin city a second night; businesses looted, burned…decimated https://t.co/GnuYASzuQf pic.twitter.com/Sw0HnITFXa
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) August 25, 2020
Late Sunday, in a chaotic scene a police officer collapses after apparently being struck by an object. A voice in the video can be heard saying, “He got bricked,” while others clapped and cheered after hearing that an officer was struck.
Mob surrounding cops celebrates as police officer is hit with brick and knocked out cold https://t.co/by2DNBGjIH
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) August 24, 2020
Within hours of the incident, and though he admitted having few details, Gov. Tony Evers (D) ripped the officers and suggested they used excessive force.
“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,” Evers said.
“We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equity, and accountability for Black lives in our country—lives like those of George Floyd, of Breonna Taylor, Tony Robinson, Dontre Hamilton, Ernest Lacy, and Sylville Smith,” he added.
The head of the Kenosha Professional Police Association clapped back at Evers for his premature condemnation.
“Anytime deadly force is used, our hearts go out to those affected by it,” said Pete Deates said in a statement.
“We assure you an independent investigation is being conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation,” he continued. “Until that investigation is completed, we ask that you withhold prejudgment about the incident and please let the process take place.
“Governor Evers’ statement on the incident was wholly irresponsible and not reflective of the hardworking members of the law enforcement community, not to mention the citizens of the City of Kenosha,” Deates added.
“As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident. We ask that you withhold from passing judgment until all the facts are known and released,” he said. “We, along with the citizens of the great City of Kenosha, ask for peace and to let the process play out fairly and impartially.”
Regarding the incident, some are beginning to question the behavior of Blake, not the officers.
I’m going to be honest about this whole Jacob Blake situation.
Why would you walk around the front of the car and attempt to reach for something within your vehicle while police officers are yelling at you to stop moving?
— Mikel Crump 🇺🇸 (@TheMikelCrump) August 24, 2020
So he had a knife, was already tazed, and refused to comply before going to his car and reaching in.
— Gavin Mario Wax 🇺🇸 (@GavinWax) August 24, 2020
** Warning: Strong language
It sure does if there was a threat. We haven’t seen the body cams and have not seen the evidence.
Until that point we have No fucking idea what happened but a dude DID NOT LISTEN, pulled away from officers, reached into vehicle, & got shot. Thats what we know.— Mike (@icyminnesota) August 24, 2020
I’m not here to act like what happened is a good thing or okay. With that being said, man, I was raised that if a police tells you to do something, do it, it will all get sorted out later.
— Dave (@PackersPhan) August 25, 2020
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