2,000 National Guardsmen Headed To Kenosha

RACINE, WI— At least 2,000 National Guardsmen from other states have been authorized to head to Kenosha, according to a news report. President Donald Trump tweeted on Wednesday he is sending federal law enforcement and the National Guard to Kenosha.

"We will NOT stand for looting, arson, violence, and lawlessness on American streets. My team just got off the phone with Governor Evers who agreed to accept federal assistance (Portland should do the same!)" Trump tweeted.

In another tweet, Trump said, "TODAY, I will be sending federal law enforcement and the National Guard to Kenosha, WI to restore LAW and ORDER!”

Two people were shot and killed during the third night of Jacob Blake-related protests and civil unrest in Kenosha. A 17-year-old from Antioch, Illinois has been arrested and faces a charge of first-degree intentional homicide.

Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said a 26-year-old Silver Lake resident and a 36-year-old Kenosha resident were killed in the shooting. A 26-year-old West Allis resident was also shot. Names have not been released.

On Wednesday, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers sent a press release that says he’s authorized 500 Wisconsin National Guard members to head to Kenosha.

The White House offered to provide federal help, but Evers apparently turned down the assistance before the deadly shootings.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, said he offered Evers assistance from the National Guard, but an aide to Evers has said the offer was for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security. Evers turned down the help from Meadows on Tuesday but accepted the latest offer on Wednesday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report.

'We don't want bad cops'

Chief Miskinis said he doesn’t have details about the Jacob Blake shooting investigation because the Wisconsin Department Of Justice is handling the case.

“Blue line of silence doesn’t exist. We don’t want bad cops," Miskinis said.

Kenosha mayor John Antaramian spoke during the press conference on Wednesday. He stated Gov. Evers has been very supportive and the FBI, ATF and Federal Marshals are in Kenosha.

“Everyone has been involved to try to make things better," Antaramian said.

The curfew for Kenosha now begins at 7 p.m. and is extended until at least Sunday.

Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said at the Wednesday press conference he was told in a phone call, to “deputize citizens to protect the city.” Beth says last night’s deadly shooting is the reason why he would never do that. He says people are coming to "Kenosha for the show". He says they have no desire to protest.

Beth said someone asked him to deputize citizens to help with unrest earlier this week. “Yesterday is probably the perfect reason I wouldn’t.”

Beth added, "People walking around with guns create confrontation... it doesn't help us."

Patch has reached out to Gov. Evers office.

The story will be updated when more is learned.