Jacob Blake: Black man shot seven times in back by police is paralysed, say family

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White House Correspondent

The father of a black man who was shot in the back several times by police said his son is now paralysed.

Jacob Blake's father - who is also named Jacob Blake - told the Chicago Sun-Times that he'd been informed by doctors that his son has "eight holes" in his body and that he would be paralysed from the waist down as a result.

"What justified all those shots?" his father asked. "What justified doing that in front of my grandsons? What are we doing?"

Mr Blake was shot Sunday by police while they were responding to a domestic disturbance call. An officer shot Mr Blake in his back while he was trying to get into his SUV. Mr Blake's children were in the vehicle and were witness to the shooting.

The Chicago Sun-Times interview with the elder Mr Blake revealed new details of the younger Mr Blake's life.

According to his father, Mr Blake has been living in Kenosha for the past three years, and is the father to six children.

Some witnesses to the shooting said Mr Blake was attempting to break up a fight at the scene when police arrived.

Mr Blake's partner, Laquisha Booker, described the scene of the shooting to Milwaukee affiliate WTMJ-TV.

"That man just literally grabbed him by his shirt and looked the other way and was just shooting him. With the kids in the back screaming. Screaming," Ms Booker said.

A witness said police responding to the scene attempted to wrestle Mr Blake to the ground. At some point Mr Blake gets free and attempt to walk away. The witness claimed the police yelled out that Mr Blake had a knife, and tried to stop him from getting in his car before shooting him.

The witness said they did not see a knife in Mr Blake's possession.

Mr Blake's shooting ignited protests in Wisconsin. Some individuals looted and set businesses on fire.