Social Issues

Officers Not Charged in Jacob Blake Shooting

By Will Kenneally

January 5, 2021

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Noble Wray

Former Madison Police Chief Noble Wray speaks at a Sep. 21, 2020 news conference as it is announced he will provide independent expert use of force analysis into the investigation of the Jacob Blake shooting.


Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announced no charges will be filed against officers in the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Graveley said the officer who shot Jacob Blake would likely be able to rely on a self defense argument if he decided to take the case to trial.

The decision comes after a months-long investigation by the state Department of Justice and an independent use of force investigation by former Madison police chief Noble Wray, who was asked to join the investigation by Attorney General Josh Kaul.

The investigation found that Blake had a knife during the altercation and made a motion toward officers.

Benjamin Crump, an attorney representing Blake, said he was immensely disappointed by the decision.

“We will continue to press forward with our own investigation and fight for systemic change in policing and transparency at all levels,” Crump wrote.

“We the Blake family are asking this city, this county, this state and this nation,” Justin Blake, Jacob Blake’s uncle said during a news conference held by the family, “to rise up in a non-violent civic uprising to let our friends and family know that there is a new sheriff in town.”

“And he’s going to demand justice for not only little Jake, but everybody that looks like little Jake across the country and the world.”

This story is developing and will be updated.

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