Prosecutors yesterday acquitted a white police officer of shooting African-American Jacob Blake in Kenosa, Wisconsin, on Aug. 23, sparking deadly street protests and sparking racial tensions in the United States. Kenosa County Attorney Michael Gravelly's decision not to prosecute Officer Rusten Cesky for committing crimes could spark new protests that have erupted in US cities in recent years following the acquittal of black police officers.
"No Kenosa police officer will be prosecuted (…) Based on the facts and the law, we have decided not to prosecute the charges," Gravelly told a news conference.
During a police raid recorded on a cell phone video, Ceski shot Blake seven times in the back as Blake opened the door of his car. The 29-year-old African-American was paralyzed from the waist down. Police said a knife was found in Blake's car and Gravelly ruled that Ceski was entitled to self-defense.
Blake's lawyer, Ben Krum, said the African-American was trying to stop a quarrel between two women when he came under fire in front of three of his sons, ages 3, 5 and 8.