Jacob Blake’s family hopes he can have ‘great quality of life,’ uncle says
An uncle of Jacob Blake hopes he can have a full recovery after being shot multiple times by police.
Jacob Blake‘s family is hopeful for his full recovery after he was shot multiple times in the back by police.
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The 29-year-old was shot by police officers in Kenosha, Wisc. on Sunday. A video of the shooting went viral, showing law enforcement officials grab Blake by his t-shirt and fire bullets as he attempted to enter his vehicle. Blake’s three sons were in the back seat.
theGrio reports eight bullet wounds left Blake paralyzed from the waist down. Doctors are not yet sure if the paralysis is a permanent condition. His family remains hopeful of a continuing recovery. He remains in intensive care.
An uncle, Justin Blake, tells CNN, “You’re looking at somebody you know, love, trust, and respect and are proud of, but you can’t help them.”
He continues to CNN’s Sara Sidner, “You sort of have to remove yourself in order to maintain your sanity.”
He says the entire family hopes the shooting does not determine the quality of life for his nephew.
“We’re just praying for a great recovery, that he may have a great quality of life and that his father, my brother can enjoy him,” he tells the news outlet.
Read More: Jacob Blake’s father shares son’s condition after shooting, national guard deployed
After the footage, which Blake’s uncle tells CNN “literally took my breath away” began to make a viral impact on social media, protesters in the midwestern state took to the streets demanding justice.
The National Guard was deployed to the city after reports of vandalism and vehicles being set on fire, according to theGrio.
“We want justice and we’re going to get justice,” he said. “We’re going to demand justice, but we’re going to do that without tearing up our own communities,” the uncle remarks to CNN.
The two officers are currently on administrative leave. The Kenosha Police Department issued a statement promising a full investigation.
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