Police officers involved in the shooting that seriously injured African American Jacob Blake in August in Kenosha, will not be prosecuted, announced on Tuesday the prosecutor in charge of this case, who rekindled anti-racist anger in the United States.
“No Kenosha agent will be charged, Based on the facts and the law, we have decided that no charges will be brought,” said local prosecutor Michael Graveley at a press conference. Anticipating this announcement, the City Council has declared a state of emergency in this city of 100,000 inhabitants from the Great Lakes region and 500 members of the National Guard are ready to be deployed in the event of violence.
(Photo By Adam Rogan/Racine Journal Times)Jacob Blake, 29, was riddled with bullets on August 23 while his three children watched, while he tried to get into his car. Severely injured, he lost the use of his legs. The scene was filmed by a witness and the officers involved were suspended from service.
The case sparked three nights of riots in Kenosha and culminated on August 25, when a 17-year-old man fired a semi-automatic rifle at three protesters, killing two. His arrest the next day brought precarious calm to the city. The young man, Kyle Rittenhouse, was later released on $2 million bail. On Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty.