Ethan Rhodes
Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot in the back multiple times by a Kenosha police officer in Wisconsin. Blake, who was paralysed from the waist down, was initially handcuffed to his hospital bed, sparking outrage from his family and the public. Despite the police's justification of standard procedure for restraining accused felons, Blake's handcuffs were eventually removed after his bail was paid and the underlying arrest warrant vacated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Jacob Blake |
| Age | 29 |
| Date of handcuffing | 27 August 2020 |
| Location | Hospital bed at Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee County |
| Reason for hospitalisation | Shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer |
| Handcuffing authority | Kenosha County Sheriff's Department |
| Removal of handcuffs | 28 August 2020, after bail was paid |
| Status of criminal charges | Released from custody, warrants vacated, charges pending |
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What You'll Learn
- Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer
- Blake's family expressed outrage that he was handcuffed to his hospital bed
- Blake was restrained due to an open felony warrant issued before the shooting
- Blake's father said he was glad his son was awake but angry that he was chained
- Blake's handcuffs were removed after his bail was paid and the warrant vacated
Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer
On August 23, 2020, 29-year-old Jacob Blake was shot and seriously injured by Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey. Sheskey shot Blake, a Black man, four times in the back and three times in the side. This happened after Blake opened the driver's door of an SUV belonging to the mother of his children and attempted to reach inside. Sheskey claimed he believed he was about to be stabbed, as Blake was holding a knife. The police had been responding to a domestic dispute, with a woman calling the police to say that her boyfriend, who was not supposed to be on the premises, was present.
Blake's shooting sparked protests and violence in the Wisconsin city. Video of the incident was posted on social media, showing three officers shouting and pointing their weapons at Blake as he walked around the SUV. As Blake opened the driver's side door and leaned inside, one officer grabbed his shirt from behind and then fired into the vehicle. Blake's uncle, Justin Blake, said, "He was shot seven times in his back while his children [were] sitting in the damn car."
Blake's family and multiple witnesses said Blake had been attempting to break up a fight between several women before he was shot. "That don't make no sense to treat somebody like that, who is not armed, with the kids in the back screaming," one witness said. Another witness, La-Ron Franklin, said, "It was some girls fighting. A gentleman was breaking up the fight. When he was turning to get his kids, the officer shot this man seven times."
Blake was left partially paralysed and hospitalised after the shooting. While in hospital, he was handcuffed to his bed, which outraged his family. "He is paralysed and can't walk and they have him cuffed to the bed. Why?" Blake's uncle said. Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr., said, "He can't get up, he couldn't get up if he wanted to, so that's a little overkill to have him shackled to the bed, that just makes no sense to me." The handcuffs were later removed after Blake's bail was paid.
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Blake's family expressed outrage that he was handcuffed to his hospital bed
Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot in the back multiple times by a Kenosha police officer in Wisconsin. Blake, who was paralysed from the waist down, was recovering in the hospital when his father noticed that he was handcuffed to his bed. Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr., expressed his outrage and heartbreak at seeing his son restrained in such a manner. He questioned the need for the handcuffs, given his son's paralysis. "He can't go anywhere. Why do you have him cuffed to the bed?" he asked. Blake's uncle, Justin Blake, echoed his sentiments, calling the situation an "insult to injury".
The family's distress was compounded by the fact that Blake was shot multiple times while trying to detain him. Blake's father described the shooting as a "senseless attempted murder". The incident sparked protests and nationwide sports boycotts, with many demanding justice and expressing outrage at the treatment of Blake. The shooting also led to several nights of demonstrations and violence, including a shooting that resulted in two fatalities.
Blake's attorneys confirmed that he was released from handcuffs after his bail was paid. They stated that the underlying arrest warrant for Blake had been vacated, and he was no longer in custody. The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office issued a statement explaining their collaboration with the hospital and Blake's legal team to ensure a safe and dignified environment, adhering to law enforcement and hospital practices.
The decision to initially handcuff Blake to his hospital bed sparked criticism from various individuals and organisations. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers expressed his concern, stating that he "couldn't imagine" why Blake was restrained in that manner. Andrew Yang, a former Democratic presidential candidate, shared Blake Sr.'s sentiments, relaying the father's words: "My son is chained up."
Blake's civil rights legal team, including attorneys Ben Crump, Patrick Salvi, and B'Ivory Lamarr, expressed relief that their client was no longer restrained. They emphasised the trauma and pain that Blake experienced while shackled, especially given his paralysed state. The removal of the handcuffs allowed Blake to continue his recovery without the added distress of physical restraints.
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Blake was restrained due to an open felony warrant issued before the shooting
Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot multiple times in the back by a Kenosha police officer on Sunday. Blake was taken to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee County for his injuries and was initially restrained due to an open felony warrant issued before the shooting. The warrant, which was related to a domestic violence incident that occurred in May, was vacated on Friday after Blake's family posted $500 bail.
Blake's family expressed outrage and dismay at seeing him handcuffed to his hospital bed, especially given his paralysed state. Blake's father, also named Jacob Blake, shared his frustration with reporters: "I hate it that he was laying in that bed with the handcuff on to the bed. He can't go anywhere. Why do you have him cuffed to the bed?"
The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office released a statement explaining their collaboration with the hospital and Blake's legal team to uphold law enforcement and hospital security practices while ensuring a dignified environment for Blake. Lt Eric Klinkhammer of the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department affirmed that Blake was restrained due to previous felony warrants, stating, "Our policy indicates that all people in custody outside of our jail facility shall be secured with restraints."
While the specifics of the incident that led to the shooting are still under investigation, it is known that officers were responding to a domestic situation. A woman had called the police, stating that her boyfriend, who was not supposed to be on the premises, was present. During the encounter, the officers attempted to arrest Blake and used a Taser on him without success. After Blake opened the car door, Officer Rusten Sheskey fired seven shots into his back. No weapons were found on Blake's person, and a knife was discovered inside the car.
The shooting of Jacob Blake sparked widespread protests and sports boycotts, with Governor Tony Evers criticising the decision to restrain Blake in the hospital. Blake's civil rights legal team expressed relief that he was no longer handcuffed, and they continue to emphasise that Blake is a human being who deserves fair treatment.
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Blake's father said he was glad his son was awake but angry that he was chained
Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was hospitalized after being shot in the back seven times by Kenosha Officer Rusten Sheskey. Blake was shot while attempting to break up a domestic dispute, according to his family attorney Benjamin Crump. Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr., spoke to reporters after visiting his son in the hospital. He expressed his anger and frustration at seeing his son handcuffed to the bed, stating that he was glad his son was awake but upset that he was restrained. Blake Sr. described his son's shooting as a "senseless attempted murder." He questioned the need for the handcuffs, as his son was paralyzed from the waist down and unable to move. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Blake was restrained due to previous felony warrants, but he was later released from handcuffs after the warrants were vacated. The shooting sparked protests and criticism from officials, including Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, who expressed concern over the decision to restrain Blake.
Blake Sr.'s reaction to his son's hospitalization reflects the outrage and emotional distress felt by the family. The image of Blake handcuffed to the bed while paralyzed sent a powerful message about the treatment of individuals accused of crimes, even in vulnerable states. Blake's shooting and subsequent treatment in the hospital ignited protests and sparked conversations about police brutality and racial injustice. The incident highlighted the complex dynamics between law enforcement, community relations, and the treatment of individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
Blake Sr.'s anger and frustration are understandable, given the traumatic experience his son endured. Being shot seven times and facing paralysis is devastating enough without the added indignity of being restrained in a hospital bed. The family's distress was compounded by the knowledge that their loved one was unable to move and posed no apparent threat. The father's words, "He can't go anywhere. Why do you have him cuffed to the bed?", capture the anguish and confusion felt by the family. The visual of the handcuffs symbolized a broader systemic issue, fueling protests and demands for change.
The removal of Blake's handcuffs brought some relief to the family and their supporters. However, the underlying issues of police accountability and racial justice remained. Blake's shooting was part of a broader pattern of police violence, particularly against Black individuals, that had sparked nationwide protests and calls for reform. The incident involving Blake highlighted the urgent need to address excessive use of force and biased policing practices. It served as a stark reminder of the work needed to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, especially those disproportionately affected by police brutality.
Blake Sr.'s words, "Tell them my son is a human being," encapsulate the family's plea for recognition of their son's humanity and the inherent dignity of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances. This statement reflects the broader struggle for equal treatment and justice within the criminal justice system. It underscores the belief that even those accused of crimes deserve basic respect and humane treatment. Blake's story became a rallying cry for those seeking transformative change to create a more just and equitable society.
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Blake's handcuffs were removed after his bail was paid and the warrant vacated
Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot in the back seven times by Kenosha Officer Rusten Sheskey while attempting to break up a domestic dispute. Blake was partially paralyzed from the waist down and hospitalized at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee County. While in the hospital, Blake was handcuffed to his bed, which outraged his family and sparked protests.
Blake was in custody due to an open felony warrant issued in July related to a domestic violence incident. It is standard procedure for police to shackle a suspect to a hospital bed if that person is under arrest. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, which assisted the Kenosha Police, stated that Blake was restrained per their policy for people accused of felonies while in custody.
Blake's bail was paid, and his attorneys confirmed that the warrant was vacated, leading to the removal of the handcuffs. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office worked closely with the hospital and Blake's legal team to ensure a safe and dignified environment, consistent with law enforcement and hospital practices.
Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr., expressed his relief that his son was no longer restrained. He had previously shared his anguish at seeing his paralyzed son handcuffed, stating that it was an "insult to injury" and questioning the need for such restraints. Governor Tony Evers also criticized the decision to restrain Blake, expressing concern and stating that Blake had already "paid a horrific price."
While the handcuffs were removed, the criminal case against Blake remains open, and charges are still pending. Blake's lawyers have stated that it will take a miracle for him to walk again.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Jacob Blake was handcuffed to his hospital bed.
The police restrained Blake because he was in custody for previous felony warrants.
Yes, Jacob Blake was shot by a Kenosha police officer.
No, the officer was not charged and the shooting is still under investigation.
Yes, the handcuffs were removed after his bail was paid.
