Kenosha, WI – Riots have reached a new level of violence after Kenosha police shot a man attempting to evade arrest.
Breitbart News reported that armed rioters have cornered police and opened fire on their vehicles.
The rioters, some with rifles, blocked off a police vehicle and tried to prevent its passage. The police then proceeded to use gas canisters to deter the crowd.
Shots were fired at the police vehicle as it departed, with an armed rioter seen pointing a rifle at the vehicle in the aftermath.
An article by the New York Post also highlights a moment where a police officer in Wisconsin was knocked unconscious by a brick.
Footage from the scene shows officers trying to leave the area while being attacked by a crowd of rioters. An officer then walks away and suddenly collapses on the ground.
The New York Post writes that “He just got bricked! He just got bricked!” can be heard in the background of the footage.
“Officer down!” was heard shouted over the police scanner.
The riots in Wisconsin have been in response to the shooting of a 29-year-old black man, who was shot 7 times by police while reaching into his vehicle.
The Associated Press reports the victim as Jacob Blake, who is now hospitalized in critical condition.
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
According to AP, “Online court records indicate Kenosha County prosecutors charged Blake on July 6 with third-degree sexual assault, trespassing and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse. An arrest warrant was issued for Blake the following day. The records contain no further details and do not list an attorney for Blake.”
Details of the attempted arrest and shooting have not been made immediately clear, but the Kenosha Police released a statement promising accountability with Governor Evers condemning the event as well.
“I have said all along that although we must offer our empathy, equally important is our action,” the governor said. “In the coming days, we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long.”
