Jacob Blake’s uncle arrested after protest of Kenosha officer’s return to force

Jacob Blake’s uncle was arrested following protests on Sunday over the return of the officer who shot his nephew to the Kenosha Police Department.

Justin Blake was arrested on Monday along with two other protesters for disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer. All three people reportedly blocked the entrance to the Kenosha County Public Safety Building and deterred community members and officers from entering, according to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department.

Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot in the back several times by Officer Rusten Sheskey in August in Kenosha, Wis., while Jacob was attempting to enter his car. The incident left Jacob paralyzed from the waist down. 

Sheskey did not face any charges in connection to the shooting and returned from administrative leave March 31. 

Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said earlier this month that an internal review found that Sheskey acted “within policy and will not be subject to discipline.”

Justin Blake told CNN that Jacob Blake’s family was not made aware that Sheskey would be returning to the police force.

Blake, along with nearly 25 other protesters, gathered at Kenosha County Public Safety Building around 5 p.m. on Sunday following a peaceful march, CNN reported. As the night went on some protesters left, leaving about 10 demonstrators remaining. Police officers asked the group to relocate.

At about 10 p.m. only four protesters remained at the front door of the building.

One protester left as deputies arrived, and the other three, including Blake, were arrested, according to CNN.

In a statement on Monday, Miskinis said that his department is actively working to improve its relationships “with all of Kenosha,” while adding that the department cannot “effectively communicate” with those who seek to spread a “false narrative.”