Jacob Blake is reportedly “fighting for his life” after being shot at least seven times by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 23). As reported by REVOLT, the 29-year-old Black father had been breaking up a fight between two women when police responded to a “domestic incident.” A horrific video showed Blake being tased and then shot in his back by officers, tragically, in front of his young children.
According to a police statement, Blake was treated for his injuries and quickly transported to the Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
As of Monday morning (Aug. 24), Blake is reportedly out of surgery and being held in the hospital’s intensive care unit. Milwaukee’s TMJ4 News reporter Lauren Linder shared the update, from Blake’s brother, on Twitter.
“Jacob Blake’s brother tells me Jacob is still fighting for his life,” Linder tweeted. “He says he just got out of surgery and is in the ICU.”
Blake’s cousin — who goes by Pauly on Twitter — shared a similar message on Twitter.
“Jacob is out of surgery and In ICU,” Pauly tweeted. “We will continue to pray as he fights. We will not excuse the actions of the Kenosha Police department, but his mother asks everyone to please remain peaceful.”
NBA agent Daniel Poneman — who went to school with Blake — also wrote that Blake is out of surgery.
“I just spoke to Jacob’s cousin [Pauly] in the hospital. He said they need your prayers and not condolences. He is out of surgery and in the ICU. He can make it through this. He is fighting for his life. Please please please pray for Jacob Blake,” Poneman tweeted. “For people asking how I know Jacob, we grew up together. We are friends. We went to school together from Kindergarten through high school.”
“His family asked me to deliver the message that he is still alive and he can make it through this, and that reports of his death are false,” he added.
Both Pauly and reporter Linder passed along a message from Blake’s mother urging demonstrations to remain peaceful. Protests erupted at the scene of the shooting on Sunday (Aug. 23) and continued to the Kenosha police station. Police announced a citywide curfew to curb protesting, which remained in effect until 7 am CDT Monday morning (Aug. 24).
See the Twitter updates below.