Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jacob Blake's mother reveals he apologised when told about paralysis as family make emotional call for change following police shooting

'As I pray for my son's healing, physically, emotionally and spiritually, I also have been praying, even before this, for the healing of our country'

Justin Vallejo
New York
Tuesday 25 August 2020 23:16 BST
Comments
Jacob Blake Sr speaks to reporters after son shot by police

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The mother of Jacob Blake revealed her son started to cry and apologise when he learned of his paralysis during an emotional awakening in hospital.

Speaking at a family press conference on Tuesday, Julia Jackson recounted the moment her son opened his eyes after being shot several times by police officers on Sunday night.

"The first thing he did when he looked at me was cry, and then begin to say 'I'm sorry about all this'," Ms Jackson said.

"I don't really think he knows what happened at this point. He's not there yet. I asked him, Jacob did you shoot yourself in the back. He looked at me and he said, 'no'. I said then why are you sorry. He says 'because I don't want to be a burden on anybody. I want to be with my children. And I don't think I'm going to walk again mum'."

Mr Blake, 29, was shot during an incident with law enforcement in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday, with the latest video to emerge reportedly showing him "brawling" with Kenosha officers before breaking free to walk to the driver's side of his SUV.

The video ends as the shooting begins.

The original video to go viral online showed officers follow Mr Blake to the driver-side door before opening fire as he leaned into the SUV.

The person who made the cellphone video, 22-year-old Raysean White, said Mr Blake scuffled with three officers who yelled, "Drop the knife, Drop the knife", before seven shots can be heard, according to the Associated Press. However, there has been no confirmation that anyone was carrying a knife.

At Tuesday's press conference, Ms Jackson recounted a touching moment between her son and police during her hospital visit.

Adria-Joi Watkins poses with her second cousin Jacob Blake in a photograph taken in September 2019
Adria-Joi Watkins poses with her second cousin Jacob Blake in a photograph taken in September 2019 (AP)

"When I began to pray for him he told me to stop. He asked the police officer that was in the room with us if he was a man of faith. He responded yes, in short, and he asked him to pray with us. The three of us prayed together," she said.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared a state of emergency and doubled the National Guard in Kenosha after rioters set more than 30 fires and destroyed dozens of buildings in the city's downtown neighbourhood.

Ms Jackson said her son would be "very unpleased" if he saw the violence that has erupted in the wake of the shooting, which did not reflect the views of their family.

"As I was riding through here, through the city, I noticed a lot of damage. It doesn't reflect my son, or my family. If Jacob knew what was going on as far as that goes, the violence and the destruction, he would be very unpleased," she said.

"So I'm really asking, and encouraging, everyone in Wisconsin and abroad to take a moment and examine your hearts ... We need healing. As I pray for my son's healing, physically, emotionally and spiritually, I also have been praying, even before this, for the healing of our country."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in