Kenosha Wisconsin Shootings (Part 1) by Tom Reynolds
Second Amendment defenders in New York should be interested in the Kenosha Wisconsin shootings that are in the news and the subject of subsequent rioting and the typical denunciations by celebrities and athletes. They involve defensive use of a gun and an overzealous, anti-2A District Attorney. Today’s post, Part 1, gives you the background on what appears to be the defensive shootings that will be discussed in Part 2. There have been varying accounts in the media as to what happened. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, who leads the state Justice Department, said in a statement that the agency is trying to conduct an impartial investigation. The investigations will undoubtably add more details but the below is what we know, to date.
Background on the 1st shooting on August 23rd
The Kenosha News reported that a woman told police in May that Jacob Blake, 29, her ex-boyfriend, had come into her home and taken her car keys and vehicle. She also said he had touched her sexually without consent. Prosecutors charged Jacob Blake with third-degree sexual assault, trespassing and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse. An arrest warrant for Blake was issued on July 6th.
Why were police called on August 23rd?
A 911 call alerted police that Jacob Blake, 29, was at the home of his alleged victim. The Wisconsin Department of Justice notes the police were called to the neighborhood by a woman who requested assistance because “her boyfriend was present and was not supposed to be on the premises.” Brendan Matthews, attorney for the Kenosha Professional Police Association said that the officers were dispatched there because of a complaint that Blake was attempting to steal the caller’s keys and vehicle.
Ben Crump, the attorney for Blake’s family said that Blake was only trying to break up a domestic dispute and did nothing to provoke police.
Were the police aware that he had an open warrant for his arrest?
In a dispatch audio of the incident, a dispatcher can be heard saying, “Jacob Blake isn’t supposed to be there and he took the complainant’s keys and is refusing to give them back.” Brendan Matthews said officers were aware that Blake had an open warrant for felony sexual assault before they arrived. Therefore, according to the Kenosha Professional Police Association, the officers on the scene knew he had an open warrant for felony sexual assault. The dispatch indicates the police knew Blake was violating a protection order.
What immediately preceded the shooting?
A statement from the Wisconsin Department of Justice notes that officers tried to arrest Blake.
A second video, taken before the shooting, shows Blake engaged in a struggle with at least two Kenosha police officers on the passenger side of the gray SUV. An officer appears to be trying to restrain Blake before he manages to get up and walks to the driver’s door, the clip shows.
Police first used Tasers (twice) to try to apprehend him; the Wisconsin DOJ statement says the nonlethal weapon “was not successful at stopping Blake.”
Did Jacob Blake have a knife?
Brendan Matthews said, “The officers first saw him holding the knife while they (Blake and the officers) were on the passenger side of the vehicle.” The bystander who recorded the shooting, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, “Drop the knife! Drop the knife!” before gunfire erupted. He said he didn’t see a knife in Blake’s hands. State investigators have said only that officers found a knife on the drivers-side floor of the car. The state Attorney General, Josh Kaul, has said that Blake noted that he had a knife in his possession when the shooting occurred.
Ben Crump, the attorney for Blake’s family, said earlier this week, that witnesses didn't see him with a knife.
Aftermath
Kenosha Police chief Daniel Miskinis said Blake is currently under arrest “for an outstanding warrant for third-degree sexual assault.”
More on the other Kenosha / Rittenhouse shootings to follow.