The man was shot multiple times as he tried to get into a vehicle, with some of the incident captured on cellphone video.
The man, identified by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers as Jacob Blake, is in stable condition, according to attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Blake's family.
WARNING: Disturbing video- Kenosha police shooting caught on video
The shooting happened after 5 p.m. Sunday in the 2800-block of 40th Street when officers responded to a domestic incident, according to the Kenosha Police Department.
In the video posted earlier on social media that appeared to show the shooting from across a street, three officers could be seen shouting and pointing their weapons at Blake as he walked around the front of a parked SUV. As Blake opened the driver's side door and leaned inside, one officer grabbed his shirt from behind and then fired into the vehicle.
Seven shots could be heard on the video, though it was unclear if more than one officer fired.
"The officers were responding to a fight," said witness La-Ron Franklin." It was some girls fighting. A gentleman was breaking up the fight. When he was turning to get his kids, the officer shot this man seven times."
Blake's fiancée Laquisha Booke said that Blake was unarmed.
"That don't make no sense to treat somebody like that, who is not armed, with the kids in the back screaming," she said.
The Blake family's attorney Crump said that his three sons were in the vehicle.
A relative of Blake confirmed to ABC7 that he is the grandson of the late Pastor Jacob Blake Sr., who served as pastor of Evanston's Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Neighbors confronted law enforcement at the scene and then crowds started marching in the streets. They headed to the Kenosha County Public Safety Building, which authorities had mostly blocked off.
Protesters faced off with officers who were dressed in riot gear that included plastic face masks.
Officers held plastic shields and batons that they occasionally used to push people back.
While many people protested peacefully, others chose violence.
Police used pepper balls in the confrontation. Several garbage trucks were set on fire. Protesters also spray-painted on the Kenosha County Courthouse.
A fire was started in the ground floor of the courthouse. Those fires are now under control.
By late Sunday, there were reports that some people lit several dump trucks on fire, smashed cars, broke windows, and threw bleach bombs as crowds faced off with law enforcement.
Officers in riot gear stood in lines and SWAT vehicles remained on the streets to move people away from city buildings despite the declaration of an overnight curfew.
Tear gas was used to disperse groups of people, according to reporters at the scene.
WATCH: Photographer Joe Shuman describes the scene of Kenosha during overnight protest
A used car lot was burned and businesses along 6th Street had shattered windows and a restaurant that had been closed for a few years was burned down.
"It's devastating, it's devastating," said Sue Tishuk, owner of Mangia Restaurant. "This is my family and this is terrible."
Some Kenosha residents are shocked...while others are not.
"I'm born and raised here and it's never been like this," said resident Claire Pauschert.
"When there is not equality in our country, what else can you possibly expect?" said Kenosha resident Kate Gallion. "People are hurting. Why would they behave this way if they were not hurting?"
It is unclear if any arrests were made and as of right now there were no reports of injuries to officers.
A state of emergency has been declared and a curfew will be in effect at 8 p.m. east of I-94. The curfew will remain in effect until 7 a.m.
Gov. Evers condemned the shooting Sunday night saying in a statement that "while we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country."
Speaking Monday afternoon, Governor Evers has called for a special session of the legislature to work on a package that includes community violence interruption and use of force by law enforcement and other measures.
"We must begin the long but important path toward ensuring our state and our country start to live up to our promises of equity and justice," Evers said. "I am urging the Legislature to rise to this occasion and give this special session the urgent and productive effort this moment demands and that the people of Wisconsin deserve."
Wis. Gov. Evers addresses Kenosha police shooting
Meanwhile, The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating the shooting The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
The Blake family' attorney Ben Crump released a statement saying, "I have said all along that although we must offer our empathy, equally important is our action. In the coming days, we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long.
"We all watched the horrific video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back several times by Kenosha police. Even worse, his three sons witnessed their father collapse after being riddled with bullets. Their irresponsible, reckless, and inhumane actions nearly cost the life of a man who was simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident. It's a miracle he's still alive.
"We will seek justice for Jacob Blake and for his family as we demand answers from the Kenosha Police Department. How many more of these tragic "while Black" tragedies will it take until the racial profiling and undervaluing of Black lives by the police finally stops?"
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot also reacted to the shooting on Twitter, saying, "Yesterday in Wisconsin, a police officer shot Jacob Blake, an unarmed Black man, a father, 7 times in the back. I am deeply disturbed by the video capturing part of the incident. I urge civil & criminal authorities to pursue an immediate & thorough investigation of the shooting.
"We pray that Mr. Blake survives. And we pray for his children, and for peace and justice in Kenosha."
Yesterday in Wisconsin, a police officer shot Jacob Blake, an unarmed Black man, a father, 7 times in the back. I am deeply disturbed by the video capturing part of the incident. I urge civil & criminal authorities to pursue an immediate & thorough investigation of the shooting.
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) August 24, 2020
Superintendent Brown said the video was "godawful" to watch.
"I have seen the video and it's godawful to watch. It is. We don't want to make any kind of assumptions based on a preliminary investigation that has just started but again, the video looks godawful."
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation released a statement saying they are leading the investigation.
The statement said in part, "Law enforcement immediately provided medical aid to the person who was shot. Flight for Life transported the person to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. The person is in serious condition.
"DCI is leading this investigation and is assisted by Wisconsin State Patrol and Kenosha County Sheriff's Office. All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation. The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave.
"DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to a prosecutor following a complete and thorough investigation.
"If members of the public have any further information regarding this incident, please contact law enforcement.
"When DCI is the lead investigating agency of a shooting involving a law enforcement officer, DCI aims to provide a report of the incident to the prosecutor within 30 days. The prosecutor then reviews the report and makes a determination about what charges, if any, are appropriate. If the prosecutor determines there is no basis for prosecution of the law enforcement officer, DCI will thereafter make the report available to the public.
"There has been speculation on social media about the identities of those involved in this incident. The public is advised to await identifying information from an official source.
"No additional details are currently available."
Kenosha Professional Police Association President Pete Deates released a statement saying, "Anytime deadly force is used, our hearts go out to those affected by it. We assure you an independent investigation is being conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation.
"Until that investigation is completed, we ask that you withhold prejudgment about the incident and please the let process take place. Governor Evers' statement on the incident was wholly irresponsible and not reflective of the hardworking members of the law enforcement community, not to mention the citizens of the City of Kenosha.
As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident. We ask that you withhold from passing judgement until all the facts are known and released.
"We, along with the citizens of the great City of Kenosha, ask for peace and to let the process play out fairly and impartially."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Kenosha, Wisconsin shooting: Police shoot Black man Jacob Blake from behind; protests erupt with state of emergency declared - WLS-TV
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