Kenosha riots: Seven wanted in connection with six fires
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Kenosha police have released pictures and videos of seven suspects wanted for arson after several fires were started during the week of riots following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
Law enforcement want to speak to four men and three women in connection with at least six fires started at various locations – including a garbage truck which was set ablaze on August 23.
Another clip shared by police showed a protester pouring liquid into a car as it erupts into flame while a third shows a fire inside the Kenosha Probation and Parole Building.
In total 20 building and seven vehicle fires are being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (AFT), the US Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement.
Kenosha, Wisconsin, emerged as the latest flashpoint in a summer of US demonstrations against police brutality and racism after 29-year-old Blake was shot seven times in the back by police officers on August 23, leaving him paralyzed.
Kenosha police have released pictures and videos of seven suspects wanted for arson after several fires (one pictured) were started during the week of riots following the police shooting of Jacob Blake
Law enforcement want to speak to four men and three women in connection with at least six fires started at various locations – including a garbage truck which was set ablaze (pictured) on August 23
Another clip shared by police showed a protester pouring liquid into a car as it erupts into flame
Police want to identify this woman in relation to an arson that occurred at TCF Bank on August 24
Police wish to speak to this woman (left) in relation to multiple arsons that occurred in Kenosha, Wisconsin on August 24. They also want to talk to a man (right) in relation to an arson which occurred at Kenosha Probation and Parole Building
Police want to identify this woman (left) in relation to an arson that occurred on August 24. They wish to speak to this man (right) in relation to a fire which occurred at B&L Furniture store that same day
A third clip shows the inside of Kenosha Probation and Parole Building in flames (pictured)
Anger at Blake’s shooting, captured on video that went viral, led to street skirmishes with protesters hurling firecrackers and bricks at police in riot gear who fired volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets.
Protests devolving into violence left countless buildings burned, businesses looted and destroyed, cars charred and streets littered with debris.
The situation escalated on August 25 when 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, who is white, opened fire on demonstrators with a semi-automatic rifle, killing two people and injuring a third.
Police stand near a garbage truck ablaze on August 24 during protests over the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha
A vehicle burns after a car was set on fire in Kenosha. Law Enforcement want to speak to four men and three women in connection with at least six fires started at various locations – including a garbage truck which was set ablaze on August 23
In total 20 building and seven vehicle fires (a garbage truck on fire, pictured) are being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (AFT), the US Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement
Protests which devolved into violence left countless buildings burned, businesses looted and destroyed, cars charred and streets littered with debris
Kenosha, Wisconsin, emerged as the latest flashpoint in a summer of US demonstrations against police brutality and racism. Pictured: A department of corrections building that was on fire during protests
Officials instated a 7pm curfew the same day as the Rittenhouse shooting in an effort to curb the violence as more than 1,000 National Guard troops descended on the city. Those troops have not yet been withdrawn.
The 7pm curfew was lifted by officials on Wednesday.
United States Attorney Matthew Krueger said in a statement today: ‘With remarkable speed, the ATF’s National Response Team has already processed the fire scenes and isolated images of individuals who may have important information.
‘Now we need the public’s help in reviewing these images. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, with the ATF and our state and local partners, will continue working to hold accountable anyone responsible for the arsons that devastated Kenosha.’
Special Agent in Charge Kristen de Tineo of AFT’s Chicago Field Division said: ‘We are asking the community to look at these images and videos and provide information to help solve these arsons.
‘Engaging the community is imperative to not only solving these arsons, it will help the community heal and build trust among all Kenosha stakeholders.’
Speaking after the curfew was lifted yesterday, Mayor John Antaramian said: ‘After consulting with local law enforcement agencies, I have decided the curfew is no longer needed.
‘The last several nights have been relatively peaceful in the community, and in the judgment of law enforcement, it is appropriate to remove the curfew.’
But Antaramian warned that he would not hesitate to reinstate the curfew if more violence erupted in its absence, saying: ‘Criminal activity will not be tolerated and arrests will be made if needed.’
The move to lift the curfew, which was originally set to expire next week, came the day after President Donald Trump visited Kenosha and toured property damage and held a roundtable discussion with law enforcement and local officials.
Burned out vehicles are seen Monday, August 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Many were set on fire during the protests
A car on fire on August 26 in Kenosha. Anger at Blake’s shooting, captured on video that went viral, led to street skirmishes with protesters hurling firecrackers and bricks at police in riot gear who fired volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets
The situation escalated on August 25 when 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, who is white, opened fire on demonstrators with a semi-automatic rifle, killing two people and injuring a third. Pictured: A store on fire in Kenosha
Jacob Blake (pictured with one of his six children) was left paralyzed after cops shot him multiple times in the back as he entered his car on August 23
Wisconsin’s governor and Kenosha’s mayor, both Democrats, had urged Trump not to visit because they feared it could exacerbate the unrest in the city.
‘While presidents are always welcome to come to this great city, this is not the best time for a visit,’ Mayor Antaramian said in a statement Sunday.
‘We are hurting today and we are focused on healing, coming together as a community and rebuilding. There is a lot of listening we need to do in Kenosha and I worry that a visit from the president will delay this important work.’
But the president ignored his plea and in the end concerns about stoking violence were not manifested.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden followed Trump’s lead and is planning to visit Kenosha with his wife Jill on Thursday.
An incendiary device goes off in front of a Kenosha Country Sheriff Vehicle as demonstrators take part in a protest on August 25
A sign with the phrase ‘#KenoshaStrong’ is seen among the rubble of a building that was burned down during riots that erupted after Blake was shot
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian (pictured) on Wednesday lifted a curfew in the city that was roiled by a week of riots and unrest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake
The move to lift the curfew, which was originally set to expire next week, came the day after President Donald Trump visited Kenosha and toured property damage on Tuesday (pictured)
The Biden campaign said that the former vice president will ‘hold a community meeting in Kenosha to bring together Americans to heal and address the challenges we face.’ Afterward, both Joe and Jill Biden will make a ‘local stop.’
Biden had hinted on Monday after delivering a speech in Pittsburgh that he was considering going to the Wisconsin city.
His campaign has already reached out to Blake’s family and plans to meet with them on Thursday during his visit.
‘Biden’s contacted the family,’ Jason Blake, Blake’s uncle, told DailyMail.com. ‘They’ve had a phone conversation with my brother. I’m sure they’re going to make their way to meet with my family.’
‘We want someone in the White House that will unite the whole country,’ he added.
‘We believe Biden is trying to united all Americans. I’m grateful to be able to meet him. I’m going to demand from him what we demand from anyone else – that there be legislation and laws protecting African Americans’ safety and well being and that we have economic opportunity to build up our own communities.’
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