KENOSHA, Wis. — Protests continued Tuesday in Kenosha and around Wisconsin, two days after Jacob Blake was shot several times by police officers.
Blake, 29, is paralyzed from the waist down and has “eight holes” in his body, his father said, Tuesday. Blake was shot by Kenosha police on Sunday and the incident was captured in a graphic video apparently filmed by a bystander across the street. Protesters have since continued to gather in Kenosha.
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave as the investigation has been turned over to the state’s Department of Justice.
Here are live updates:
6:00 a.m. Two people are dead and another injured after a third night of protests in Kenosha.
Police responded to the area of 63rd Street and Sheridan Road for reports of shots being fired and multiple gunshot victims.
The third gunshot victim was transported to a hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The shooting investigation is active an ongoing.
Officials are looking for a suspect.
10:30 p.m. A protester moves past authorities Tuesday night in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Anger over the Sunday shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police spilled into the streets for a third night.
10:00 p.m. People try to push over protective fencing in Kenosha, Wis. anger over the Sunday shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police spilled into the streets for a third night.
9:21 p.m. Protesters were still at the County Court House, attempting to get through barricades.
8:45 p.m. Protesters were attempting to dismantle barricades in Kenosha.
8:40 p.m. It was past curfew in Kenosha, but protesters were still gathering outside the courthouse. The National Gaurd was on the ground.
8:27 p.m. A vigil turned into a protest in downtown Madison.
8:00 p.m. Another state of emergency curfew took effect in Kenosha. The curfew will last until 7 a.m. and was enforced by police. The community expected another night of civil unrest.
7:34 p.m. The RNC opened with a prayer for Jacob Blake, his family, law enforcement and first responders.
7:31 p.m. Ben Williamson, the senior communications advisor and deputy assistant to the President, shared that the White House offered Wisconsin a total of 750 members of the National Guard, as that was how much help local police agencies estimated they would need. Evers declined and kept his request to 250.
7:30 p.m. Protesters clashed with counter protesters here near the courthouse in Kenosha. Armed civilians said they're there to protect their buildings.
7:27 p.m. Kenosha families prepared for another night of protests, and asked to be spared.
7:16 p.m. President Donald Trump acknowledged what's happening in Kenosha for the first time since Blake was shot by police. He took to Twitter to say that Evers should call in the National Guard to end protests.
Evers had already called them in.
6:25 p.m. Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth released a statement asking the people to not be "a part of this destructive force that’s burning our community."
As we enter what will likely be another very challenging night in Kenosha County, I want the public to know that the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department and our partners in law enforcement are doing our utmost to protect our community during this unprecedented time of unrest.
We are working alongside members of the Kenosha Police Department and law enforcement departments from across Wisconsin, as well as state and federal authorities and the Wisconsin National Guard, in a concerted attempt to minimize the spread of the destructive behavior that has plagued us since Sunday night.
People are frustrated, I get it. And they’re scared. I certainly get that, too. Rumors abound on social media and elsewhere, with widely varying levels of truth to them. We know that much of the damage is being inflicted by people coming in from outside our community, with the intent to rob and destroy, not to engage in their First Amendment right to demonstrate.
The best thing our residents can do to stay safe is to stay home tonight and abide by the curfew that will be in effect from 8 p.m. until 7 a.m. tomorrow. If you want to protest peacefully, by all means go out and do it. It’s your right. But don’t be a part of this destructive force that’s burning our community. That’s not a productive path to justice.
And know that we are working actively to continue marshaling the resources we need to bring this disruption under control. Just today, our county executive, Jim Kreuser, and our mayor, John Antaramian, worked with the governor to bring more National Guard troops to Kenosha tonight and in the coming days. And we are working to bring in help from federal authorities as quickly as possible.
We are not sitting idly, watching the destruction of our community. We’re making every effort to make it stop, and I hope you will too.
6:15 p.m. Volunteers cleaned up debris left from riots that destroyed dozens of local businesses in Kenosha, Wis., late Monday night. Several buildings were burned or destroyed as protests in Kenosha turned violent for the second night in a row.
6:00 p.m. School buildings in Kenosha will be closed tomorrow, which means there will be no meal distribution from Frank or Wilson.
6:00 p.m. Following a night of significant destruction in uptown Kenosha as a result of protests, people in the city came together to clean up the damage and heal together in the process.
5:11 p.m. Kenosha County issued a curfew for Tuesday night, starting at 8 p.m. It will end Wednesday at 7 a.m.
Gov. Evers also doubled the National Guard's presence in Kenosha, bringing the number of guard members up to 250.
4:46 p.m. Julia Jackson, the mother of Jacob Blake, gave a message of unity, strength and forgiveness, to the nation.
4:35 p.m. The Danish Brotherhood Lodge in Kenosha was one of many businesses damaged or destroyed in the city late Monday evening.
4:00 p.m. Attorney Ben Crump and Jacob Blake's family shared that Blake was in surgery Tuesday afternoon.
“It is going to take a miracle for Jacob Blake to ever walk again," Crump said.
Attorney Patrick Salvi said they will pursue a civil lawsuit, and they are also demanding for the officers involved in the shooting to be arrested and fired.
Salvi also gave additional details on his injuries:
"He had a bullet go through some or all of his spinal cord. At least one bullet. He has holes in his stomach. He had to have nearly his entire colon and small intestine removed. Suffered damage to his kidney and liver, and was also shot in the arm. And so Jacob has a long road ahead of him. A lot of rehabilitation ... he’s in surgery right now and it is not going to be his last surgery."
Additionally, Blake's mother, Julia Jackson, said she is encouraging protesters to remain peaceful.
“Let’s show the rest of our world how humans are supposed to treat each other," she said.
She visited him in the hospital. While she was there, he was awake but may not have been completely lucid. She prayed with him and the officer who was in the hospital room, and Blake told her he was "sorry about all of this."
3:30 p.m. Madison officials addressed the protests that have been happening in the city.
The mayor and city council president urged protesters to remain peaceful again.
Acting Police Chief Victor Wahl talked about last night's damage: 40 businesses damaged, "quite a few" looted as well; in at least two instances, people tried to set buildings on fire, in one case even breaking windows and pouring gasoline to try to ignite the building; they saw a number of trash and dumpster fires. Overall he called it "behavior very dangerous to our community" and said the police will keep investigating to ID other suspects, especially for the looting and arson.
Fire Chief Steven Davis said in his 31 years of serving, last night was "probably the most destruction and damage I've seen in this city" when it comes to arson, attempted arson, rioting, looting. He said they've been reaching out to businesses today for preventive measures like clearing out trash buildup. In some cases, when the police deployed tear gas last night, they did so because the firefighters needed to clear the area to put out fires.
3:30 p.m. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Jacob Blake’s family addressed his current condition after a police-involved shooting in Kenosha.
2:55 p.m. The Kenosha Common Council voted to give Mayior John Antaramian additional authority.
2:37 p.m. Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency following protests in communities across Wisconsin.
The executive order directed state agencies to continue assisting the state response, and called to state active duty additional elements of the Wisconsin National Guard to support first responders and protect critical infrastructure and cultural institutions.
1:50 p.m. Kenosha County again declared a state of Emergency Curfew for 8 p.m. Tuesday evening east of I-94. The curfew will be enforced until 7 a.m.
1:41 p.m. Gov. Tony Evers encouraged protesters to remain peaceful amid acts of unrest across Wisconsin.
Evers released the following statement:
“The ability to exercise First Amendment rights is a critically important part of our democracy and the pursuit of justice. But there remains a line between peaceful assembly and what we saw last night that put individuals, families, and businesses in danger.
“We cannot forget the reason why these protests began, and what we have seen play out over the last two nights and many nights this year is the pain, anguish, and exhaustion of being Black in our state and country. But as I said yesterday, and as I’ll reiterate today, everyone should be able to exercise their fundamental right—whether a protester or member of the press—peacefully and safely. We cannot allow the cycle of systemic racism and injustice to continue. We also cannot continue going down this path of damage and destruction.
“We are assessing the damage to state property and will be increasing the presence of the Wisconsin National Guard to ensure individuals can exercise their right safely, protect state buildings and critical infrastructure, and support first responders and fire fighters.
“Tonight, and in the days ahead, if you are going to protest, please do so peacefully and safely. Please do not allow the actions of a few distract us from the work we must do together to demand justice, equity, and accountability.”
1:20 p.m. Jacob Blake's attorney confirmed that Blake is paralyzed from the waist down. Ben Crump and Jacob Blake's family held a press conference at 3 p.m. to address Jacob's current condition.
1:13 p.m. The Kenosha Common Council debated on giving mayor John Antaramian additional authority due to "rioutus activity" in the wake of civil unrest around the city.
12:53 p.m. A lot of the damage in Madison occured on Capitol Square. Businesses and law enforcement worked to repair on a relatively quiet Tuesday afternoon.
12:20 p.m. One of Blake's neighbors shared her thoughts on the incident, saying the 29-year-old did not deserve to get shot.
11:13 a.m. The Kenosha Common Council voted on declaring a state of emergency for the city at 1 p.m. CST Tuesday.
10:46 a.m. According to the City of Madison, six arrests were made (one of the arrested subjects was armed with a handgun at the time of arrest). The Madison Police Department said they will continue to investigate criminal activity that occurred during the night and identify additional suspects.
9:35 a.m. The Kenosha County Courthouse and Administration Building remained closed to the public Tuesday. Court hearings were not held in person or virtually, but other county services remained available online or by phone.
9:05 a.m. A look at the aftermath from Kenosha, Wisconsin following the second night of unrest:
8:51 a.m. Sen. Ron Johnson said the following Tuesday about the overnight violence that resulted in looting and fires in Kenosha and Madison:
“Yesterday, I acknowledged the understandable concern and emotional reaction to the shooting of Jacob Blake. I also asked anyone choosing to demonstrate to remain peaceful, and give our justice system time to work. Unfortunately, Kenosha and Madison experienced another night of violence and destruction. I again ask for demonstrators to remain peaceful and also call on elected officials charged with the responsibility to maintain safety and security in Wisconsin to devote the manpower to do so. In particular, I ask Governor Evers to provide a sufficient presence of the Wisconsin National Guard to maintain order. Peaceful protesting is a constitutionally protected form of free speech. Rioting is not. It must not be allowed to continue."
8:05 a.m. Congressman Bryan Steil, who represents Kenosha County in the U.S. House of Representatives, released a statement following the second night of violence in Kenosha:
“The violence and destruction we witnessed the past two nights in Kenosha needs to be stopped. Public safety must be assured. If the Mayor and Governor don’t believe they have sufficient resources to do so, they need to request federal assistance immediately. I am prepared to support their request.”
8:00 a.m. A protester lit a cigarette on a garbage truck that was set on fire during protests late Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis., sparked by the shooting of Jacob Blake by a Kenosha Police officer a day earlier. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
