Kenosha police officer who shot Jacob Blake faces no disciplinary action as he returns to work

Kenosha, Wisconsin – The Kenosha police officer who shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, has returned to work.

Jacob Blake's shooting sparked Black Lives Matter protests across the city and country.
Jacob Blake's shooting sparked Black Lives Matter protests across the city and country.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Officer Rusten Sheskey, who is white, will face no internal discipline after firing seven shots at Blake's back, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Blake's children were in the car at the time of the shooting.

Sheskey returned from administrative leave on March 31 after an internal investigation found him "to have been acting within policy," Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis' statement reads.

The state's Department of Justice also conducted a separate investigation, which was reviewed by an "independent expert." According to PBS, former Madison Police Chief Noble Wray was called in to do the review.

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There was no investigation or review led by members of the community.

Kenosha County District Attorney Mike Gravely announced in January that his office would not press charges, saying it would be too difficult to prove Sheskey wasn't acting in self-defense after a knife was reportedly found in Blake's car.

Miskinis said, "Although this incident has been reviewed at multiple levels, I know that some will not be pleased with the outcome; however, given the facts, the only lawful and appropriate decision was made."

Blake filed a civil lawsuit against Sheskey in March, accusing him of using excessive force during their encounter.

One of his attorney's told ABC, "We believe that this lawsuit will help establish accountability."

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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