Officer who shot Jacob Blake returns to duty

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Rusten Sheskey, the Kenosha, Wisconsin, police officer who shot Jacob Blake seven times while responding to a domestic incident last year, has returned to active duty, according to a statement from Police Chief Daniel Miskinis.

“Although this incident has been reviewed at multiple levels, I know that some will not be pleased with the outcome,” Miskinis said Tuesday afternoon. “However, given the facts, the only lawful and appropriate decision was made.

Sheskey returned from administrative leave on March 31, according to Miskinis.

“Officer Sheskey was found to have been acting within policy and will not be subjected to discipline,” the chief added.

Sheskey was not charged for shooting Jacob Blake on Aug 23, 2020 after responding to a domestic dispute.

Sheskey told investigators shortly after the incident that he used deadly force during the chaotic encounter because he was afraid Blake, while attempting to flee the scene, was trying to kidnap a child in the back seat of the vehicle he was driving.

Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back, leaving him partially  paralyzed from the waist down.

Last month, Blake filed a lawsuit against Officer Sheskey for unspecified damages over the injuries he sustained during the shooting. In the suit, Blake said one of the cop’s seven gunshots severed his spinal cord, resulting in his paralyzation. He has not been able to work or perform daily tasks since the shooting and says he’s still using a wheelchair after months of surgeries and physical rehabilitation.

Blake also claimed Officer Sheskey’s seventh shot hit the side door of his car and could have hit his children, who were sitting inside the vehicle. The cop is accused of using excessive force during the shooting and Blake has requested a jury trial.