(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Black man shot by a Kenosha, Wisconsin police officer last weekend is no longer shackled and under guard as he tries to recover in a hospital, a defense attorney said Friday.
Twenty-nine-year-old Jacob Blake, who may be paralyzed, was in restraints earlier this week, prompting questions from Blake’s family and even Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers about why that was necessary.
Authorities said it may have been because there was an outstanding warrant for Blake’s arrest. The Chicago Sun-Times reported a bail payment was made, and there were no charges stemming from Blake’s encounter with police Sunday.
As of Friday afternoon, Blake was no longer restrained — published reports differed on whether he was handcuffed or restrained with a cuff on his ankle — and deputies were no longer guarding him, defense attorney Patrick Cafferty said.
“Obviously, it’s going to be easier on him and his medical personnel and family now that it’s been addressed,” Cafferty said.
A Kenosha police officer shot Blake seven times in the back after Blake walked away from police Sunday during a domestic call. Blake had told authorities he had a knife, and he was reaching into his vehicle when the 7-year veteran police officer opened fire, the Wisconsin state attorney general said this week. Police had tried to use a Taser on Blake but were unsuccessful, he said.
State and federal investigations are underway. Protests, vandalism, arson and deadly violence have erupted in the wake of the racially charged police-involved shooting.
A 17-year-old Antioch boy is in custody in Illinois, awaiting extradition on charges he shot three people — two fatally — Tuesday night as police tried to keep the peace in Kenosha.