(CNN) Justin Blake says watching the video of his nephew getting shot several times in the back by Wisconsin police "literally took my breath away."
"You're looking at somebody you know, love, trust and respect and are proud of, but you can't help them," Blake told CNN's Sara Sidner. "You sort of have to remove yourself in order to maintain your sanity."
Jacob Blake, 29, is in intensive care following the police shooting in Kenosha on Sunday. A video clip of the incident shows an officer shooting Blake several times as he tries to enter the driver's side door of an SUV. His three children -- 3, 5 and 8 --- were in the car at the time.
"If you can only imagine seeing your father, your loved one, shot by those who are supposed to protect your community, protect you, has to be a God-awful thing to live with," Justin Blake said.
Two officers have since been placed on administrative leave.
His uncle says the family is praying for a recovery.
"Thank God he's alive," Justin Blake said. "We're just praying for a great recovery, that he may have a great quality of life and that his father, my brother can enjoy him."
Justin Blake described his nephew as a hard-working man, who volunteers and takes good care of his children.
His entire family, including Jacob Blake's mother, is now in shock and working through the devastating news one medical update at a time, the victim's uncle says.
"Anything like this will shock the hell out of anybody, to see your son in that situation," he said.
"This, like all the Black parents talk about, is that phone call you don't want to get," he said. "And we got it."
Jacob Blake with his four sons.
'We're going to demand justice'
While the family supports the protests in Wisconsin and across the country, they do not condone violence, Justin Blake said.
"We want justice and we're going to get justice," he said. "We're going to demand justice, but we're going to do that without tearing up our own communities."
Protests erupted Sunday after a video of the shooting began circulating on social media. On Monday, Wisconsin's governor called in the National Guard and officials set an 8 p.m. curfew for demonstrators hoping to avoid any clashes.
Police shooting leads to protests in Wisconsin
A demonstrator cries during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, September 1. The demonstrators were protesting President Donald Trump's visit to the city.
Trump tours a building that was damaged during the protests in Kenosha.
Trump supporters demonstrate in front of the Kenosha Courthouse on September 1.
A woman shows her support as protesters march down a street in Kenosha following Trump's visit on September 1.
Members of the National Guard stand inside a fenced area surrounding government buildings on August 27.
Protesters gather on August 27.
People listen to the Rev. Jesse Jackson on August 27 as he addresses protesters.
A crowd marches in Kenosha on August 26.
Protesters raise their fists during a demonstration in Kenosha on August 26.
People embrace at the site where a person was killed during protests.
A protester walks by a boarded-up store in Kenosha on August 26.
Protesters march past a burned-out building that was damaged during protests.
Kenosha Police Chief Dan Miskinis speaks at an August 26 news conference. Two people were fatally shot during protests the night before, and Miskinis said
the shooting may not have happened if demonstrators and the accused gunman had obeyed the city's newly imposed 8 p.m. curfew.
A man with a gun takes aim at another person during protests on Tuesday, August 25.
An explosive device detonates as a protester pushes back on an armored vehicle that was attempting to clear demonstrators away from the Kenosha County Courthouse.
A protester obstructs an armored vehicle outside the Kenosha County Courthouse.
Authorities disperse protesters from a Kenosha park on August 25.
A protester takes cover during clashes outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on August 25
A protester tosses an object toward police during clashes outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on August 25.
Letetra Wideman and Zanetia Blake, sisters of Jacob Blake, embrace during a news conference outside the Kenosha County Courthouse.
People gather to protest on August 25.
Jacob Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr., speaks during a
news conference on August 25. He described his son's shooting as a "senseless attempted murder."
Police attempt to push back protesters outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday, August 24.
A protester lights a cigarette on a garbage truck that was set on fire during protests.
Burning structures are reflected in a building's broken glass as a protester walks past on August 24.
An American flag flies over a Department of Corrections building that was on fire during protests.
A demonstrator uses a tennis racket to return a tear-gas canister toward police lines.
People gather in front of the Kenosha County Courthouse to protest on August 24.
Police are pictured in riot gear outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on August 24.
Demonstrators protest from cars on August 24.
Police try to secure the Public Safety Building on August 24.
Protesters confront police officers during a march in downtown Kenosha.
Vehicles that were burned during protests are seen in Kenosha on August 24.
Joe Loewen and Dan Noonan put boards over a broken window at the Harborside Academy. The windows were broken during protests on Sunday, August 23
A man rides a bike past a city truck that was set on fire on August 23.
A man jumps over a tear-gas canister as he is fired upon with rubber bullets on August 23.
Demonstrators stand in front of a line of police at the Public Safety Building.
People pound on the door of the Kenosha Police Department.
Protesters break windows at the Kenosha County Administration Building.
A man confronts police outside the Kenosha Police Department on August 23.
In this screengrab taken from video, police follow Jacob Blake as he walks to the driver's side door of an SUV on August 23. He was shot a few moments later.
Several buildings and cars were set on fire Monday night after some protesters defied curfew.
Demonstrations took place in other parts of the country as well, including in New York City and Minneapolis, where several people were arrested.
The issue is one that needs to be immediately addressed by the country's leadership as well, Justin Blake said Monday, including the two presidential candidates.
"This needs to be first and foremost on their agenda," he said.
"What are you going to do to situate African Americans so we don't have to go through the daily struggles (of) worrying about our children coming home?"
CNN's Sara Sidner contributed to this report.