Kenosha police officer who shot Jacob Blake returns from administrative leave, will receive no discipline

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) – It’s been nearly eight months since a Kenosha police officer shot Jacob Blake seven times.

Officer Rusten Sheskey was cleared by the district attorney in January.

Now, he’s getting back to work.

The Kenosha chief said Sheskey returned to active duty two weeks ago. He had been on paid administrative leave since August.

"We are outraged as a family, as a community", said Justin Blake, Jacob’s uncle.

He said racism is the only reason officer Rusten Sheskey is back on duty.

"You think it's okay to put a police officer back in harm’s way of our children, of our seniors, it’s unconscionable," said Justin Blake.

Kenosha Chief Daniel Miskinis anticipated the decision would cause a strong reaction. In a statement, he said:

"Although this incident has been reviewed at multiple levels, I know some will not be pleased with the outcome; however, given the facts, the only lawful and appropriate decision was made.”

Sheskey has been on leave for nearly eight months after shooting Jacob Blake in the back last August. Blake was armed with a knife and Sheskey was one of the officers responding to a domestic violence call. The shooting paralyzed Blake and lit a powder keg in Kenosha.

The district attorney declined to bring charges against Sheskey in December, but the internal Kenosha police review continued.

In his statement, Miskinis also said, “Officer Sheskey was found to be acting within policy and will not be subjected to discipline.”

Justin Blake said they’re not surprised by the findings of this latest review.

“We're familiar with the things and the techniques that they do to justify the harm that they do to African American descendants in our community," said Blake.

Jacob Blake is suing Sheskey for violating his civil rights by using excessive force.

That case is in its beginning stages in federal court.