Kenosha city officials say they are preparing for possible protests when a prosecution decision comes in the police murder of Jacob Blake
KENOSHA, Wisconsin – The city of Kenosha, Wisconsin, is preparing for protests when an indictment decision comes at the police shooting against Jacob Blake, officials said on Sunday. A decision is expected in the next two weeks.
Security efforts will include designating a demonstration space, limitations on city bus routes, road closures, curfews and protective fences, Mayor John Antaramian and Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said in a press release .
Blake, who is black, was shot in the back seven times on August 23 after walking away from a white police officer and two others who were trying to arrest him. The officer, Rusten Sheskey, shot Blake after he opened the driver’s door of an SUV and leaned into the vehicle. Blake was paralyzed from the waist down.
The shooting was captured on video and quickly broadcast online, fueling massive protests in Kenosha that caused millions of dollars in damage to public and private property. An Illinois teenager is accused of killing two people and injuring a third during a night of unrest.
The indictment decision by Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley is likely to be announced before mid-January. Sheskey and the other officers who were at the scene were put on administrative leave.
The mayor and the chief said more details about security precautions would be released later.