Jacob Blake’s mother appeals for end to looting in Kenosha: ‘We need healing’

The mother of a Black man shot by police in Kenosha called on the rioting and destruction in the southern Wisconsin city to stop as family members also called on the officers involved in the shooting to face justice.

Julia Jackson, the mother of Jacob Blake, said the looting and destruction caused in the city over the past two nights don’t reflect their family’s values.

“If Jacob knew what was going on he would be very unpleased. So I’m really asking and encouraging everyone in Wisconsin and abroad to take a moment and examine your heart,” Jackson said.

She said she was praying for everyone, including police officers.

“We need healing,” his mother, Julia Jackson, said. “ ... I also have been praying, even before this, for the healing of our country.”

Family attorney Ben Crump said Blake faces permanent injuries.

“It is going to take a miracle for Jacob Blake to ever walk again,” Crump said.

Another attorney said his injuries include a bullet going through his spinal cord and stomach. His colon and small intestine were removed and he suffered damage to his kidney and liver.

Crump described the shooting as “brutal use of excessive force once again on an African American that was captured on video and is just shocking and outrageous and devastating. Devastating to all of us, but mostly devastating to his three little boys who was seated in the car when the police literally shot him at least seven times at point-blank range.”

Jacob Blake’s family walks to a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight in Kenosha, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

1 of 19

Jacob Blake Sr., the father of Jacob Blake, speaks during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

2 of 19

Jacob Blake Sr., the father of Jacob Blake, speaks during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

3 of 19

Julia Jackson, Jacob Blake’s mom, speaks during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

4 of 19

Julia Jackson, Jacob Blake’s mom, speaks during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

5 of 19

Julia Jackson, Jacob Blake’s mom, speaks during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

6 of 19

Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Blake family, speaks during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

7 of 19

Jacob Blake’s sisters hold one another during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight in Kenosha, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

8 of 19

Jacob Blake’s sisters hold one another during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight in Kenosha, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

9 of 19

Jacob Blake’s sisters hold one another during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight in Kenosha, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

10 of 19

Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Blake family, speaks during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

11 of 19

Megan Belcher, Jacob Blake’s sister, cries during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight in Kenosha, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

12 of 19

Megan Belcher, Jacob Blake’s sister, cries during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight in Kenosha, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

13 of 19

Julia Jackson, Jacob Blake’s mom, speaks during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

14 of 19

Jacob Blake Sr., the father of Jacob Blake, speaks during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

15 of 19

Jacob Blake Sr., the father of Jacob Blake, speaks during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

16 of 19

Julia Jackson, Jacob Blake’s mom, walks to her car after a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight in Kenosha, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

17 of 19

Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Blake family, talks to Jacob Blake Sr., the father of Jacob Blake, after a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

18 of 19

Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Blake family, talks to Jacob Blake Sr., the father of Jacob Blake, after a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2020. Police shot Blake at least seven times in the back Sunday as he was breaking up a fight, according to his attorneys. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

19 of 19

Jackson said that she had visited her son in the hospital and the first thing her son said to her was he was sorry.

“He said, ‘I don’t want to be a burden on you guys,’” Jackson said. “‘I want to be with my children, and I don’t think I’ll walk again.’”

Three of the younger Blake’s sons — aged 3, 5 and 8 — were in the car at the time of the shooting, Crump said. It was the 8-year-old’s birthday, he added.

Jacob Blake Sr. said his grandchildren will forever be traumatized by the shooting. The family is looking into getting them counseling.

“All my grandson asks is, ‘Why did the police shoot my daddy in the back?’” Blake Sr said. “How would you feel if your white son walked up to you as a mother and said, ‘Mommy, why did the police shoot my daddy in the back.’ You have no clue.”

Kenosha, a city of about 100,000 people halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee along Lake Michigan, has been rocked by protests since the shooting.

Protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear Sunday night, while Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden immediately condemned the shooting.

Contributing: AP