No charges against cop who shot Black man 7 times in back

Protesters confront National Guard members late on Tuesday; Blake`s family members expressed anger about the charging decision. Pic/AP

A Wisconsin prosecutor declined on Tuesday to file charges against white police officer Rusten Sheskey who shot a Black man seven times in the back in Kenosha, concluding he couldn't disprove Sheskey's contention that he acted in self-defence.

The decision, which met with swift criticism from civil rights advocates and some public officials, threatened to reignite protests that rocked the city after the August 23 shooting of Jacob Blake, who is now paralysed.

Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, called the decision "further evidence that our work is not done" and called for people to work together for equity. Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who is Black, was more pointed on Twitter: "I wish I could say that I'm shocked. It's another instance in a string of misapplications of justice."

Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley said investigators concluded Blake was carrying a knife when police responded to a report he was trying to steal a car. Officer said he "feared Jacob Blake was going to stab him with the knife" as he tried to stop Blake from fleeing the scene.

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