Two shot dead at protests

MADISON: A 17-year-old was arrested on murder charges after allegedly shooting two people dead during demonstrations against police brutality in the US city of Kenosha, as authorities released their first account of the shooting of a black man by an officer that ignited the violence.

During violent protests against the police shooting of Jacob Blake multiple times in the back in front of his children, white supremacists faced off against Black Lives Matter protesters.

As US President Donald Trump vowed to send in federal forces, Wisconsin authorities released their first statement on Wednesday on what happened in the moments before the shooting, saying Mr Blake had a knife “in his possession” when Officer Rusten Sheskey, a seven-year veteran of the force, fired his gun seven times into the 29year-old’s back.

Kenosha city officials ordered a 7pm to 7am curfew through to Sunday in hopes of bringing calm after Tuesday’s violence, which occurred as mostly white armed vigilantes flocked to the site of protests.

Videos show one of the vigilantes, identified as Kyle Rittenhouse, shooting at protesters with an assault rifle and apparently hitting two who tried to stop him.

One of the victims, seen in footage attacking Rittenhouse with a skateboard, was identified as Anthony Huber. Footage then showed Huber clutching his chest and falling to the ground seconds later with Rittenhouse holding his assault rifle just a metre away.

Blake remained in hospital on Wednesday and may be permanently paralysed from the waist down, according to his family.