Outrage and widespread protests took over Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday after police shot 29-year-old Jacob Blake in the back multiple times while three of his children watched, according to CNN. 

Horrifying video of the incident hit social media the same day and immediately caused fury. A statement from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers did little to quell the anger across the state and by Monday afternoon, the officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave, The Washington Post reported.

The officers who appeared to fire shots at Blake have not been identified.

State authorities are now investigating why the officers fired multiple shots at Blake who was walking away and entering his car where his 3, 5 and 8-year-old children were sitting. 

Blake's partner, Laquisha Booker, said the officer was being reckless when he began shooting near the children, WTMJ-TV reported.

“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,” Booker said.

Blake was hospitalized in serious condition as protesters headed to the streets to demand answers, according to Fox 6 News.

People in the community and at the scene of the shooting began to protest before the demonstrations grew larger and headed toward the Kenosha County Public Safety Building, according to WISN12. 


Video from Sunday evening showed a variety of protests across Kenosha, with a few people breaking windows and spraying graffiti on a Kenosha County administrative building.

WISN12 reported that cars at a dealership near the building were also set on fire while other fires were set at a local courthouse.

Police officers in full tactical gear lined up outside of other administrative buildings.

SpectrumNews had video of the fires being set at a nearby courthouse.

The courthouse was closed on Monday because of the fires, USA Today reported.

Through the night protesters faced off with police, who issued a curfew until 7 a.m.

On Monday afternoon they issued another curfew. 

While most of the protests were peaceful, some were rightfully angry that yet another Black person had been shot by the police.

Many protesters congregated outside of the Kenosha Police Department, demanding answers.

Police began shooting tear gas at the peaceful protesters and officers in riot gear quickly descended on the crowd.

"I puked. I cried. I got separated from my friend. Someone was walking by and had a little bit of milk left and dumped it in my eyes," said Kyle Flood, a local activist who spoke to Business Insider.

Around midnight, some news outlets reported that garbage trucks in the town were being set on fire after they had been placed on streets to block the protesters.

"Two minutes later, the first dump truck went up in flames, and it spiraled out of control," Flood added.

Flood said the protests were due to the shooting and widespread anger over the racism in the town, which is about 11% Black, KARE11 reported.

"I do think that if they do not arrest this officer, there is a huge risk for another night like last night. What we need is all eyes on Kenosha, and it's something we've needed for a long time. The political culture in Kenosha is bad. The racism in Kenosha, and the state, is bad," Flood noted.

A few protesters broke windows at the local courthouse. 

"People are mad. Until this city hears that the officer has been fired, or what the update is, the city is going to keep burning," Whitney Cabal, a Black Lives Matter organizer for Kenosha, Wisconsin, told Business Insider. 

Dozens of protesters livestreamed the demonstrations on Facebook as police shot tear gas at people. 

"I got a little bit of the teargassing; my lungs were burning. There is a lot of pent-up frustration because of things like George Floyd. A lot of people are angry, rightfully so," said protester Isaac Wallner. 

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing Blake's family, criticized the police for the shooting and said the situation was made worse with Blake's children witnessing the incident.

“We all watched the horrific video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back several times by Kenosha police. Even worse, his three sons witnessed their father collapse after being riddled with bullets. Their irresponsible, reckless, and inhumane actions nearly cost the life of a man who was simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident. It’s a miracle he’s still alive,” Crump's statement said, according to Fox6.

Crump said Blake was trying to break up a fight when police arrived and tased him before shooting him. He was airlifted to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee and is currently in intensive care after a night of surgery, according to The Washington Post. 

Many are calling for the arrest of the officers involved and say the protests will not stop until action is taken. 

"If he's not fired, there's going to be more of the chaos side of things — along with the protests. I feel like that may lessen the impact on the property of the community. That needs to happen for people to calm down a little bit until they can process their thoughts on how to move forward on how to fight for change," Wallner said. 

Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden spoke out about the situation and the chief of staff for President Donald Trump said he had been notified about what happened, according to The Hill.

“This morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force. Those shots pierce the soul of our nation,” Biden said in a statement posted to his campaign website.

"This calls for an immediate, full and transparent investigation and the officers must be held accountable. Jill and I pray for Jacob's recovery and for his children. Equal justice has not been real for Black Americans and so many others. We are at an inflection point. We must dismantle systemic racism. It is the urgent task before us," Biden added. 

Black-lives-matterJacob BlakeKenosha-WisconsinPolice brutalityTony-Evers