DOJ: Kenosha Officer Rusten Sheskey fired weapon into Jacob Blake's back 7 times, other officers identified
Updated: 6:07 a.m. on August 28
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Justice is now releasing the names of two other officers who were at the scene on Sunday, August 23 when Jacob Blake was shot.
Police were called Sunday to a home in the 2800 block of 40th Street after a female caller said her boyfriend was there and was not supposed to be.
Officers attempted to arrest Blake at that scene. According to the DOJ, Officer Rusten Sheskey and Officer Vincent Arenas both deployed their tasers, which failed. As Blake moved toward his car and leaned in, Sheskey shot him seven times in the back. No other officer fired their weapon.
Arenas has served with Kenosha Police Department since February 2019. Shesky has worked there for seven years.
According to the DOJ, also on scene was Officer Brittany Meronek, who was worked for the department since January 2020.
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Posted: 6:05 p.m. on August 26
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin's Attorney General released new information Wednesday about the moments that led up to the shooting of Jacob Blake and the unrest that's followed.
Attorney General Kaul says they've finished several interviews with key witnesses as part of their investigation.
He's hoping to finish the rest quickly, but released details he says won't likely be disputed. He says they're releasing new information to provide some initial answers to a public demanding them.
"This community has been through some extremely traumatic events in the last few days," Kaul said.
Police were called Sunday to a home in the 2800 block of 40th Street after a female caller said her boyfriend was there and was not supposed to be.
Officers attempted to arrest Blake at that scene. One officer fired his taser which wasn't successful, and as Blake moved toward his car and leaned in, Officer Rusten Sheskey shot him seven times in the back.
Kaul says Blake had a knife.
"Mr. Blake admitted he had a knife in his possession and DCI agents recovered a knife on the driver's side floorboards of Mr. Blake's vehicle."
Kaul says any charges resulting from the investigation will come from Kenosha County District Attorney Mike Gravely. Gravely says he can only look at whether Kenosha police broke Wisconsin law.
He's calling for a separate investigation from the US Attorney.
"I called on the US Attorney to conduct a parallel investigation and I've asked them to do the civil rights investigation," Gravely said.
He also pleaded with the public to let the process unfold and not let social media drive impatience.
"A world of social media that has clearly emphasized immediate action over any ability to be calm or deliberate," he said.
Kaul says the DCI hopes to complete its report within 30 days. He did not release details of who specifically has already been interviewed or how much of their investigation is left to complete.
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KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A news conference was held Wednesday, Aug. 26, regarding the officer-involved shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake on Aug. 23.
According to Attorney General Josh Kaul, Kenosha police were dispatched to the residence near 28th and 40th Street after a female caller reported that her boyfriend was present and was not supposed to be on the premises.
During the incident, officers attempted to arrest Jacob Blake. Police officers deployed a taser, which was unsuccessful. Blake walked around his vehicle, opened the driver's side door, and leaned forward, according to officials.
While holding onto Blake's shirt, Officer Rusten Sheskey fired his service weapon into Blake's back seven times.
Officials say no other officer fired their weapon. Kenosha Police Department does not have body cameras.
The shooting officer, Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey, has been a law enforcement officer with the Kenosha Police Department for seven years.
During the investigation, Blake admitted that he had a knife in his possession, according to the DOJ. Agents recovered a knife from the driver's side floorboard of Blake's vehicle.
Blake was provided medical attention and taken by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital where he is recovering.
This is an ongoing investigation. DCI is leading the investigation and is assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Wisconsin State Patrol and Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office.