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'Shot in the back multiple times': Gov. Tony Evers condemns Kenosha police shooting of Jacob Blake

Election 2020 Democrats Blue Wall
Posted at 6:04 AM, Aug 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-24 11:20:34-04

MADISON, Wis. -- Gov. Tony Evers on Sunday night condemned the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a man who was shot by a Kenosha officer during a "domestic incident," according to police.

"Tonight, Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight, in Kenosha, Wisconsin," Evers said in the statement. "Kathy and I join his family, friends, and neighbors in hoping earnestly that he will not succumb to his injuries. While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country."

Video shows the officer firing several shots at Blake as he had his back turned. According to police, officers on scene gave immediate aid to Blake, and he was eventually taken to the hospital via Flight for Life helicopter where he remains in serious condition.

Protests, vandalism erupt after Kenosha police officer shoots, seriously injures man

"We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equity, and accountability for Black lives in our country—lives like those of George Floyd, of Breonna Taylor, Tony Robinson, Dontre Hamilton, Ernest Lacy, and Sylville Smith. And we stand against excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with Black Wisconsinites," Evers' statement continues.

"I have said all along that although we must offer our empathy, equally important is our action. In the coming days, we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long.”

Protests in Kenosha overnight turned into vandalism, as several garbage trucks and other items were set on fire.

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