2 shot dead, 1 injured during US anti-racism protests

Two people have been shot dead and one injured in the Midwestern US state of Wisconsin on Tuesday evening as protests against the police shooting of a Black man turned violent.

Kenosha city Police said in a statement today that they responded to report of shots being fired and multiple gunshot victims around 11.45 p.m.

It added that “A third gunshot victim was taken to a hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.”

The department however did not provide further information about the shooters and victims with claims that the investigation is ongoing.

Julio Rosas, a journalist at the scene had shared the video footage on Twitter which showed a man tripping and falling to the ground before firing multiple rifle rounds into a crowd.

Separately, some protesters confronted the police and National Guard and tried to push down the barricades in front of the Kenosha County Courthouse on the third consecutive night of protests.

The move comes after Jacob Blake was shot in the back seven times in an incident that has triggered widespread outrage and made Kenosha the latest flashpoint of the US’ continued struggle with racial injustice and police shootings of African-Americans.

Blake’s father, who has the same name, said that “his son is paralyzed from the waist down.”

Sunday’s shooting occurred as police were responding to a “domestic incident,” the Kenosha Police Department said in a statement.

A graphic bystander video that emerged on social media appears to show Blake being shot multiple times after he opens the door to a car and attempts to enter.

The video appears to show Blake walking away from police as they attempt to apprehend him with guns drawn.

They open fire after Blake, who appears unarmed, opened the door and began to enter with his back facing the two officers.

The Wisconsin Justice Department is investigating Blake’s shooting, and the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.