Kamala Harris Visits With Jacob Blake's Family Monday: Report

MILWAUKEE, WI — Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris arrived in Milwaukee Monday to meet with the family of Jacob Blake, the man who is now paralyzed after he was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Bloomberg News reported.

Harris disembarked from her private jet at about noon in Milwaukee. She did not meet with Blake personally, but met with his father and two sisters; his mother called into the meeting by phone, as did Blake's attorney and two other members of his legal team, Bloomberg reported.

Biden was in Kenosha last Thursday, where he also met with Blake's family and spoke at a church.

Also during her Monday visit in Milwaukee, Harris is being live broadcast during her meeting with IBEW members and labor leaders; watch here.

Kenosha has been the site of violent protests since the Aug. 23 shooting, and is also the city where 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse is accused of shooting and killing two protesters. Rittenhouse said he was acting in self defense.

President Trump was in Kenosha last week, as well. He did not meet with the Blake family, but instead toured damage from the protests and called for a cease in the violence.

"I was going to going to speak to the mother yesterday; I hear she's a very fine woman," said Trump a day later in Tampa, Florida, taking questions from the media. "I was going to speak to her, but then I heard there were a lot of lawyers on the phone. I said, 'I have enough lawyers in my life, I don't need to get involved with that.' I spoke with the pastor."

Trump also promised "this would heal very quickly," and also pledged a contribution to the Kenosha police department.

"What we call law and order," said the president. "Some people think those are two terrible words, law and order."

Blake was shot in the back by Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey; Sheskey fired seven shots and four of the bullets hit Blake. Police had been called to the home for a 911 domestic disturbance call and for a report that Blake had sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend and stolen her car keys.

Blake first engaged in a struggle with police; he broke free and did not follow police commands to stop. Police had previously used their Tasers on him during the struggle.

Sheskey shot Blake multiple times as Black turned to reach into his car. Blake later admitted he had a knife in his possession at the time and police recovered a knife from the driver’s side floorboard of his SUV, said the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Here is a news release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice with their account of what happened that day: https://www.doj.state.wi.us/news-releases/update-kenosha-officer-involved-shooting-1

On Aug. 26, Blake's mother, Julia Jackson, called for an end to the violence and destruction.

"This 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 displeased. We need healing," she said at a press conference. "I am talking to everyone, white, black Japanese, Chinese, red, brown. No one is superior to the other. To all the police officers, I am praying for you and your families."

On Saturday, Blake released this YouTube video from his hospital bed, where he implored people to change their lives.

"To all the young cats out there, it's a lot more life to live out there, man. Please, I'm telling you to change ya'll lives out there, make everything easier for our people out there," said Blake.

He delivered the one-minute message from his bed at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa. Ben Crump, Blake's attorney, posted Blake's message to Twitter Saturday afternoon.

"It hurts to breathe, it hurts to sleep, it hurts to move from side to side and it hurts to eat," continued Blake. "I got staples in my back and my stomach. You do not want to have to deal with this."

All the officers involved in the shooting, including Sheskey, are on administrative leave, police officials said.

Harris disembarks at the Milwaukee airport Monday, Sept. 7:

Trump on his decision not to speak with Blake's mother:

Blake's mother speaks at an Aug. 26 press conference: