Jacob Blake's father has said his son is now paralysed from the waist down after he was shot by Kenosha Police Department officers seven times on Sunday evening.
The 29-year-old was taken to the hospital after the shooting and is currently in the ICU. His father said doctors don't know if the paralysis is permanent.
This comes as NBA star Lebron James has led the charge for justice for Mr Blake following the news of the Wisconsin shooting. James joined a number of prominent celebrities, politicians, and athletes who have reacted to the Wisconsin shooting after video from the incident was shared widely on social media.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigations is now investigating the shooting that occurred on Sunday evening. The two officers involved are reportedly cooperating with the investigation but have been placed on administrative leave.
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'We are scared as black people': Lebron James speaks publicly about the shooting of Jacob Blake
Lebron James spoke about the recent shooting of Jacob Blake following an NBA game on Monday evening.
"If you're siting here and telling me there is no way to subdue that gentleman, or detain him, or to ... before the firing of guns, then you're sitting here ... you're lying to not only me, you're lying to ever African American, every black person in the community," he said. "Because we see it over and over and over."
Lebron James spoke about the recent shooting of Jacob Blake following an NBA game on Monday evening.
"If you're siting here and telling me there is no way to subdue that gentleman, or detain him, or to ... before the firing of guns, then you're sitting here ... you're lying to not only me, you're lying to ever African American, every black person in the community," he said. "Because we see it over and over and over."
If you watch the video, there was multiple moments where if they wanted to they could've tackled him, they could've grabbed him," he added. "Why does it always have to get to the point where we see the guns firing?"
"I know people get tired of me saying it but we are scared as black people in America."
James has become a leading voice in the movement to end systemic racism and police brutality across the country. He not only addressed the news of Mr Blake being shot in an on-air interview, but he also tweeted about the story and called for justice.
James has become a leading voice in the movement to end systemic racism and police brutality across the country. He not only addressed the news of Mr Blake being shot in an on-air interview, but he also tweeted about the story and called for justice.
Man who filmed Jacob Blake's shooting says he can't sleep and is 'traumatised' – 'we are scared for our lives'
The man who filmed the police shooting of Jacob Blake, an unarmed Wisconsin man now fighting for his life in hospital, has said he is deeply disturbed by having seen the incident unfold just yards from his own house>
Speaking to CNN, Raysean White said that he did not know Mr Blake, but felt intense pain over what he witnessed during the events he filmed
"It's disturbing to actually look out the window where I live and see this man get shot by the police seven times," he said. "It's highly disturbing to me, but I'm pretty sure Jacob's kids were more traumatised than anybody during the whole situation."
Andrew Naughtie reports:
The man who filmed the police shooting of Jacob Blake, an unarmed Wisconsin man now fighting for his life in hospital, has said he is deeply disturbed by having seen the incident unfold just yards from his own house>
Speaking to CNN, Raysean White said that he did not know Mr Blake, but felt intense pain over what he witnessed during the events he filmed
"It's disturbing to actually look out the window where I live and see this man get shot by the police seven times," he said. "It's highly disturbing to me, but I'm pretty sure Jacob's kids were more traumatised than anybody during the whole situation."
Andrew Naughtie reports:
Man who filmed Jacob Blake's shooting in Wisconsin says he is traumatised and can't sleep
The many police shootings of Black Americans have traumatised the people who documented them on video
BREAKING NEWS: Black man shot seven times in back by police is paralysed, says father
The father of a black man who was shot in the back several times by police said his son is now paralysed.
Jacob Blake's father – who is also named Jacob Blake – told the Chicago Sun-Times that he'd been informed by doctors that his son had been shot eight times and that he would be paralysed from the waist down as a result.
Mr Blake was shot Sunday by police while they were responding to a domestic disturbance call. An officer shot Mr Blake in his back while he was trying to get into his SUV. Mr Blake's children were in the vehicle and were witness to the shooting.
The father of a black man who was shot in the back several times by police said his son is now paralysed.
Jacob Blake's father – who is also named Jacob Blake – told the Chicago Sun-Times that he'd been informed by doctors that his son had been shot eight times and that he would be paralysed from the waist down as a result.
Mr Blake was shot Sunday by police while they were responding to a domestic disturbance call. An officer shot Mr Blake in his back while he was trying to get into his SUV. Mr Blake's children were in the vehicle and were witness to the shooting.
More on this breaking news here:
Jacob Blake paralysed after being shot seven times by police, say family
The father of a black man who was shot in the back several times by police said his son is now paralysed
Investigation into Wisconsin shooting in 'early stages', county district attorney says
Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley confirmed on Monday that the investigation into the shooting that took place on Sunday evening in Kenosha, Wisconsin was under investigation, but it was in its "early stages".
The shooting involved Kenosha Police Department officers and an unarmed black man, later identified as Jacob Blake.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigations is leading the investigation. Then once the investigation is complete, all information will be handed over to the district attorney.
"We're asked to make two determinations based on the evidence that is presented," Mr Graveley said. "One, did any officer, in this case, commit any crimes, and two, are there any crimes that we believe were committed that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt?"
"If those two things are concluded as a yes, then criminal charges would be brought at the end of that process," he added.
Currently, two officers are on administrative leave following the shooting. Officials said they have been cooperating with the investigation.
The local police union has urged the public to avoid passing judgement until all the facts are known about the case, adding the video currently circulating on social media of the altercation only shows one version of the events from that day.
Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley confirmed on Monday that the investigation into the shooting that took place on Sunday evening in Kenosha, Wisconsin was under investigation, but it was in its "early stages".
The shooting involved Kenosha Police Department officers and an unarmed black man, later identified as Jacob Blake.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigations is leading the investigation. Then once the investigation is complete, all information will be handed over to the district attorney.
"We're asked to make two determinations based on the evidence that is presented," Mr Graveley said. "One, did any officer, in this case, commit any crimes, and two, are there any crimes that we believe were committed that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt?"
"If those two things are concluded as a yes, then criminal charges would be brought at the end of that process," he added.
Currently, two officers are on administrative leave following the shooting. Officials said they have been cooperating with the investigation.
The local police union has urged the public to avoid passing judgement until all the facts are known about the case, adding the video currently circulating on social media of the altercation only shows one version of the events from that day.
Kenosha delayed body cameras for years prior to Jacob Blake's shooting
City and law enforcement officials of Kenosha, Wisconsin, unanimously approved the use of body cameras by police officers in 2017 as a way to improve accountability and provide evidence to cases.
But since the unanimous decision, the implementation of the change has been delayed due to a hefty price tag on body camera equipment and policy concerns.
Now the city is potentially regretting the pause to provide body cameras to all officers, as none of the Kenosha Police Department officers on the scene during the Jacob Blake shooting were equipped with the equipment on Sunday.
Instead, the public has used a video taken by a bystander, which has since circulated on social media, to tell the story of what potentially went down between officers and Mr Blake. In the video, Mr Blake is seen walking around to the driver's side of his car, which held his three children. That was when officers shot him multiple times in the back.
If the officers had worn body cameras during the altercation, it would provide information as to what occurred before and after what the video shows.
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian confirmed Monday that current plans call for the city to buy body cameras in 2022, five years after the unanimous decision to use the equipment. There are cameras in each squad car, but it is not clear if the camera captured any moments from the altercation with Mr Blake.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
City and law enforcement officials of Kenosha, Wisconsin, unanimously approved the use of body cameras by police officers in 2017 as a way to improve accountability and provide evidence to cases.
But since the unanimous decision, the implementation of the change has been delayed due to a hefty price tag on body camera equipment and policy concerns.
Now the city is potentially regretting the pause to provide body cameras to all officers, as none of the Kenosha Police Department officers on the scene during the Jacob Blake shooting were equipped with the equipment on Sunday.
Instead, the public has used a video taken by a bystander, which has since circulated on social media, to tell the story of what potentially went down between officers and Mr Blake. In the video, Mr Blake is seen walking around to the driver's side of his car, which held his three children. That was when officers shot him multiple times in the back.
If the officers had worn body cameras during the altercation, it would provide information as to what occurred before and after what the video shows.
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian confirmed Monday that current plans call for the city to buy body cameras in 2022, five years after the unanimous decision to use the equipment. There are cameras in each squad car, but it is not clear if the camera captured any moments from the altercation with Mr Blake.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Lebron James calls for for justice in the wake of the Wisconsin shooting
Lebron James has become the latest athlete to react to the news of an unarmed black man being shot by police on Sunday evening.
He said he felt "sorry" for Jacob Blake in a tweet and wanted justice.
Lebron James has become the latest athlete to react to the news of an unarmed black man being shot by police on Sunday evening.
He said he felt "sorry" for Jacob Blake in a tweet and wanted justice.
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