Sports world reacts to decision not to charge officers in Jacob Blake shooting
The sports world continued to show solidarity with Jacob Blake after Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley declined to file criminal charges against the law enforcement officers involved in the August shooting of the Wisconsin man.
The Milwaukee Bucks, whose players initiated a league-wide stoppage during the first round of the NBA's postseason from Aug. 26-28, released a statement decrying police brutality and reaffirming the organization's commitment to "issues of social injustice and anti-racism."
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 6, 2021
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James commented on a link to the news shared by musician Common:
AT ALL!!! 😤😤😤😤😤😤. 🤦🏾♂️ https://t.co/m3iv1NZxQY
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 5, 2021
Marquette's men's basketball program announced the team would wear black uniforms for their game against Connecticut on Tuesday.
#mubb to wear Black uniforms tonight in support of Jacob Blake, his family and the Kenosha community. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Z53K6dUJSI
— Marquette Basketball (@MarquetteMBB) January 6, 2021
Marquette is wearing black uniforms tonight in support of Jacob Blake, his family and the Kenosha community following the decision to not charge the officers involved with his shooting.pic.twitter.com/IVdcCsIIRK
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) January 6, 2021
Responding to reports of a domestic incident on Aug. 23, officer Rusten Sheskey shot Blake, a Black man, seven times in the back, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.
Sheskey said he feared Blake was attempting to kidnap a child, according to CNN's Amir Vera and Brad Parks. Blake had also informed officers he had a knife.
Neither Sheskey nor accompanying officers Brittany Meronek and Vincent Arenas will face charges. All three remain on administrative leave, the Kenosha Police Department tweeted on Tuesday.
Additionally, Blake himself will not face charges, Graveley said.