American Jacob Blake, who remains hospitalized after being shot several times in the back by a police officer in Wisconsin last Sunday, is now handcuffed to his bed, his family said.
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Blake’s uncle told CNN on Thursday that the 29-year-old’s father had visited a hospital in Wauwatosa, Wis., Where his son was recovering from at least one operation. He was “heartbroken” to see his son in handcuffs.
“It’s insulting,” said Justin Blake, the victim’s uncle. “He is paralyzed and cannot walk and they handcuffed him to the bed. Why?”
Blake, a 29-year-old black man, spent several days in hospital after a Kenosha police officer shot him seven times in the back on Sunday as he attempted to make his arrest.
Andrew Yang, a former Democratic presidential candidate and guest reporter for CNN, said Thursday he had spoken to Jacob Blake’s father. The latter would have claimed to be happy to see that his son was awake, but angry that he was held prisoner in this way.
“Her father actually used the words ‘chains’. He said his son was in chains, ”Yang told CNN reporter Erin Burnett.
Speaking to Blake’s father for the first time since the shooting, Yang said Blake asked why he had been shot so many times.
When he woke up, the first thing Jacob Blake reportedly said was, “Daddy, why did they shoot me so many times?” the latter’s father revealed to CNN.
“When asked what message I could share on behalf of his family, Jacob Blake’s dad said to me, ‘tell them my son is human,” Yang tweeted of his conversation. with Jacob Blake’s father.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers told a news conference he “couldn’t believe” Blake had been handcuffed.
“I don’t understand why this is necessary,” Evers said, responding to a reporter’s question.
“Hopefully we can find a better way to help him recover. It seems counterintuitive, ”he added.