Police Officer Rusten Sheskey Who Shot Jacob Blake Will Not Face Any Federal Charges

Kenosha Police Officer Who Shot Jacob Blake Will Not Face Any Federal Charges

Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old living in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was shot multiple times in his back this weekend by a police officer who has since been identified as Rusten Sheskey about a year ago.

The United States Justice Department said in a statement Friday that Sheskey will not face any federal charges for the August 2020 shooting and added, “the evidence obtained is insufficient to prove that the KPD officer willfully used excessive force.”

Officials claimed federal prosecutors from the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office looked over the evidence to determine if Sheskey violated any federal laws as per TMZ.

“A detailed and lengthy analysis of numerous materials, including police reports, law enforcement accounts, witness statements, affidavits of witnesses, dispatch logs, physical evidence reports, photographs and videos of some portions of the incident,” the statement continued.

Jacob Blakes family was reportedly informed about the charge and Sheskey’s lawyer said in January that his client will not be charged for the shooting. Additionally, he claimed Sheskey acted in self-defense although Jacob Blake was reportedly unarmed during the shooting.

Blake was also paralyzed from the shooting and he previously filed a lawsuit against Sheskey.

According to his father, Jacob Blake clutched his hand and wept before asking the question on everybody’s mind: “Why did they shoot me so many times?”

Wow. This Black man was shot several times in the back by @KenoshaPolice today. He was getting into his car after apparently breaking up a fight between two women. He’s in critical condition now. We demand JUSTICE! #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/I1reDEp4nw

— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) August 24, 2020