Rioters set fire to car dealerships, furniture stores, dump trucks, and a Department of Corrections building while protesters clashed with National Guardsmen as Kenosha, Wisconsin, descended into violent chaos on Monday.
The unrest entered its second day as outrage grows over the police shooting on Sunday of an unarmed black man in front of his home.
Jacob Blake, 29, is listed in serious condition in a Milwaukee hospital after a Kenosha police officer fired seven shots into his back while responding to a domestic disturbance call.
Video of the shooting went viral on social media on Sunday, igniting widespread outrage three months after the death of George Floyd.
A city garbage truck burns during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officers, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
An American flag flies over a department of correction building that was lit on fire in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Police stand near a department of corrections building that was on fire in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Law enforcement officers face angry crowds during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake
Protesters come face to face with police clad in riot gear in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
A protester attempts to continue standing through a cloud of tear gas fired by police outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday
Meanwhile, details have emerged about Blake’s criminal past, including a recent arrest for sexual assault.
According to online records, Kenosha County prosecutors charged Blake with third-degree sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse.
It was unclear whether that case had anything to do with the shooting.
In 2015, Blake was also charged with resisting arrest and carrying a concealed weapon after he pulled a gun at a local bar in Racine.
Wisconsin’s governor called out the National Guard on Monday, and police skirmished with protesters who defied a curfew to take to the streets.
Protesters chanted, ‘No justice, no peace’ as they confronted a line of law enforcement officers who wore protective gear and stood shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the courthouse entrance.
Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, stand near an office furniture building that was set on fire by rioters on Monday
A protester walks by a furniture store that was destroyed by arsonists in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
A protester lights a cigarette on a garbage truck that was set on fire during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
People walk by cars torched by protesters a few blocks from the county courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Several businesses went up in flames in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during a second night of unrest following the shooting on Sunday of an unarmed black man by police
The silhouettes of the demonstrators outline against the glowing flames of cars they set on fire a few block from the county courthouse
Protesters and rioters were seen on Monday smashing cars and setting buildings and trucks on fire in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Fire burns through several cars in a parking lot a few blocks from the Kenosha County Court House on Monday
Flames engulf several vehicles that were set on fire by rioters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Arsonists set fire to buildings, trucks, and cars during another night of unrest in the Wisconsin town of Kenosha on Monday
Vehicles parked just a few blocks from the county courthouse in Kenosha were set on fire by arsonists on Monday
Flames roar from a row of cars torched by protesters a few blocks from the county courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
A man walks by vehicles set on fire by arsonists during another night of unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Several protesters walk past police with their arms up in the air as a building burns nearby in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
An American flag falls from its pole as a Department of Corrections administrative building is set on fire by arsonists in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Police first fired the tear gas about 30 minutes after the 8pm curfew took effect and protesters refused to disperse.
But hundreds of people stuck around, lighting fires and screaming at police.
It is thought that the city, which is home to around 100,000 people, has so far lost a mattress store, church, Mexican restaurant and a cellphone shop in the raging fires, according to witnesses.
Ordering 125 Guard troops deployed to Kenosha, on the shore of Lake Michigan 40 miles south of Milwaukee, Governor Tony Evers also decried what he branded excessive force in the shooting of Jacob Blake, and called for a special legislative session to consider police reforms.
Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, deploy tear gas to disperse protesters near the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday
Protesters take cover as police use tear gas during riots and demonstrations in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
An armored police vehicle is seen on the left while officers with riot shields are seen on the right near Kenosha County Court House on Monday
Two protesters stand with raised fists as a garbage truck burns behind them during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
A Black Lives Matter supporter holds a sign that reads ‘Stop murdering people of color’ in front of a row of police officers in Kenosha on Monday
A man walks by as a furniture store is set on fire and destroyed during riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Protesters carry an injured man during a march to demonstrate against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Kenosha County police officers clad in riot gear stand in front of the county courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Protesters clash with Kenosha County Sheriff’s officers in front of the county courthouse on Monday
Several protesters reported being hit with projectiles, including rubber bullets and bean bags fired by law enforcement
Cops deployed tear gas in an effort to disperse protesters in front of the courthouse and protesters threw water bottles at officers in riot gear
Several protesters are seen with umbrellas as they stand face to face with police officers near the courthouse in Kenosha on Monday
About an hour later on Monday afternoon, Kenosha’s mayor faced dozens of angry, jeering protesters demanding the arrest of officers involved in Sunday’s shooting.
Some in the group tried to force their way into the municipal public-safety building adjacent to the courthouse when the mayor, John Antaramian, retreated from the heckling crowd.
The door was broken from its hinges, but police in riot gear drove the demonstrators back by dousing some with pepper spray.
Shortly after nightfall, scores of protesters defying a dusk-to-dawn curfew massed outside the courthouse, shouting and tossing water bottles at a line of sheriff’s deputies, who responded with volleys of tear gas and pepper balls.
A protester stands off with police in riot gear outside the Kenosha County Courthouse late Monday in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Several buildings, including a Wisconsin Department of Corrections building, were set on fire in Kenosha
Protesters are seen above facing with police officers in front of the county courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Police in riot gear stand by outside the courthouse as protesters face off with them in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
National Guard troops fire tear gas on the crowd to disperse them after a warning was ignored during protests on Monday in Wisconsin
Police and members of the Sheriff’s department hold a perimeter around the courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Scores of police officers took up positions while clad in riot gear and holding shields as they protected the courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
The unrest in Kenosha comes in response to Sunday’s shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old black man. Witnesses reported that at least three police officers had their guns drawn as Blake (seen above in the white t-shirt) was walking away from them on Sunday
The images above show the moments leading up to the shooting. Blake (seen in the white shirt) walks away from a police officer who has his gun drawn and is ordering him to stop
Jacob Blake’s mug shot from 2015 is seen left. Online records (right) indicate that an arrest warrant was issued for Blake last month. He was charged with sexual assault
A short time later, several truckloads of National Guard troops were seen rolling into the center of town about a block away. Local media reported that exit ramps leading into the city from Interstate 94 had been closed to traffic.
At least one sheriff’s deputy has suffered a neck injury by a firework that was set off by protestors, according to the New York Times.
It was uncertain whether there have been any arrests.
Blake, 29, was listed in stable condition following surgery, his father told news media on Monday. His three young sons witnessed the shooting from just a few feet away while sitting in their car, according to the family attorney, Ben Crump.
Video of the encounter taken by an onlooker showed Blake walking toward the driver’s side of a gray SUV followed by two officers with their guns drawn at his back.
Seven gunshots are then heard as Blake, who appears unarmed, opens the car door and a woman nearby jumps up and down in disbelief.
It was unknown whether the officers saw something inside the vehicle that prompted them to shoot Blake. It was also not clear whether one or both officers opened fire.
A man speaks to police lined up during a protest outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday during the second night of rioting
Police form a barrier as they stand near a garbage truck ablaze during the protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
A protester uses a tennis racket to hit back a can of tear gas toward police as he shields himself with an umbrella outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday
A protester walks past a building with broken windows as others burn during the protests in Kenosha in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake
Crowds soon gathered at the scene, and some demonstrators set fires and threw bricks and Molotov cocktails at police, leading authorities to close public buildings in the area.
Evers, a Democrat, said he ordered Guard troops to Kenosha at the request of local officials to help maintain order after activists said they were organizing further demonstrations for Monday night.
He also said police had shown a pattern of ‘excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with Black Wisconsinites.’
‘We must rise to this movement and this moment and meet it with our empathy, our humanity and a fierce commitment to disrupt the cycle of systemic racism and bias that devastates Black families and communities,’ Evers said in a public address.
Pete Deates, president of the city’s police union, accused the governor of rushing to judgment, calling Evers’ comments ‘wholly irresponsible.’
He added: ‘As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident.’
Nicholas Gonzalez calls for medical attention after getting shot in the wrist with a projectile in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Law enforcement officials form a human barricade near the courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
People yell at a line of police officers during a protest outside the Kenosha County courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
A woman taunts members of the sheriff’s department as they hold a perimeter outside the Kenosha County courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Protesters set fire to an office on Monday night as looters ran riot for a second night in Kenosha, Wisconsin
A protester holding a pro-Black Lives Matter sign stands near a burning garbage truck outside the courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
A protester raises her fist while standing in a cloud of tear gas as a garbage truck burns in the background near the county courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Protesters take cover as they confront police during a second night of unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
A protester uses an umbrella to shield himself from tear gas fired by police during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
Police take up positions next to an armored vehicle as protests raged in Kenosha, Wisconsin, for a second straight night on Monday
A protester wearing a face mask taunted police on Monday during a confrontation in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer a day earlier
Luna, 23, came with a group from Milwaukee who call themselves The Peoples Revolution. She is seen above holding up the beanbag that hit her backpack in Kenosha
Police attempt to push back protesters outside the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday
The shooting occurred three months after the May 25 death of a Black man in Minneapolis, George Floyd, who was pinned to the street under the knee of a white police officer, sparking nationwide protests against police brutality and racism within the US criminal justice system.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democrat challenging Republican President Donald Trump in the November 3 election, called for the officers involved in Kenosha to be held accountable.
‘The nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force,’ Biden said in a statement.
‘These shots pierce the soul of our nation.’
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin denounced the National Guard deployment as an unnecessary and ‘militarized’ response to legitimate protests that ‘only serves to exacerbate tensions.’
Sunday’s shooting occurred as officers were responding to what they termed a ‘domestic incident.’
Police immediately took the victim to a hospital, according to a police statement. Authorities gave no further explanation of what led to the shooting.
Attorney Crump, who also has represented Floyd’s family, said in a statement that Blake had been trying to de-escalate a domestic incident when the officers first shot him with a stun gun.
‘As he was walking away to check on his children, police fired their weapons several times into his back at point-blank range,’ Crump said.
The officers involved were placed on administrative leave while the investigation is underway, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said on Monday.
New footage shows Jacob Blake brawling with cops before being shot as two white Wisconsin officers are placed on leave
The 29-year-old unarmed black man who was shot seven times by a Wisconsin police officer on Sunday was involved in a brawl with several Kenosha cops moments before the shooting.
Amateur video shows the events leading up to the shooting – though the footage is taken from the opposite angle of the initial viral cell phone clip in which Jacob Blake is seen walking toward his SUV before he is gunned down.
In the latest video, Blake is seen wrestling with at least two Kenosha police officers.
Blake then manages to break free from the mayhem and begins to walk from the passenger’s side of his SUV to the driver’s side.
As he opens the driver’s side door, gunshots ring out. The video ends there.
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave and are said to be cooperating with investigators, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
The state DOJ has launched an investigation into the shooting.
Amateur cell phone video shot from a different angle on Sunday shows Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old black man, entangled with police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Blake (seen above in the white shirt) then walks around the SUV to the driver’s side while the police officers follow him with guns drawn
Blake, who is listed in serious condition at a Milwaukee hospital, was shot in the back seven times in front of his three children after police were called to his home to reports of a domestic dispute on Sunday.
Video of the shooting of Blake quickly went viral, with angered protesters setting cars on fire, smashing windows and clashing with officers dressed in riot gear across the city throughout Sunday evening and into the early hours of Monday.
Meanwhile, the police union representing officers on the Kenosha police force released a statement on Monday criticizing Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, who immediately condemned the ‘excessive force’ used by the cops.
‘Anytime deadly force is used, our hearts go out to those affected by it,’ Pete Deates, president of the Kenosha Professional Police Association, said in a statement.
The video shows Blake managing to extricate himself from the officers’ grasp
‘We assure you an independent investigation is being conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation.
‘Until that investigation is completed, we ask that you withhold prejudgment about the incident and please the let process take place.
‘Governor Evers’ statement on the incident was wholly irresponsible and not reflective of the hardworking members of the law enforcement community, not to mention the citizens of the City of Kenosha.
‘As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident. We ask that you withhold from passing judgement until all the facts are known and released.
‘We, along with the citizens of the great City of Kenosha, ask for peace and to let the process play out fairly and impartially.’