Kyle Rittenhouse, 19, Was Arrested for Protest Shootings in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Last Year

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Rittenhouse

Kyle Rittenhouse Net Worth made headlines last year during street protests against police brutality in Kenosha, Wisconsin. His defense team stated he acted out of self-defense; however, prosecutors believed Rittenhouse initiated confrontation by initiating physical contact despite knowing he faced legal ramifications for doing so.

Rittenhouse was charged with first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless homicide as well as possession of a dangerous weapon; his potential prison time could reach 60 years.

He was a member of a youth police cadet program

Kyle Rittenhouse came from Antioch, Illinois to Kenosha with a semi-automatic rifle as he raced from Antioch to Kenosha to “patrol and protect property after protests over police officer Jacob Blake’s shooting, wearing a light green T-shirt while carrying it. On the night of shootings he spoke to reporters while still carrying it while wearing it as part of his appearance at protests over police officer Jacob Blake’s shooting by police officers.

Teenagers frequently join youth police cadet programs, which aim to recruit and deputize young people into police service. Such programs should teach these teens the values associated with being police officers such as how to respect the law and prevent crime from taking place.

Rittenhouse testified during his trial about his participation in the program. He noted how it inspired him to be a “hero” by helping “patrol and protect” the public.

He lauded police officers’ sacrifice in the line of duty, posting several posts to his Facebook page that praise police officers’ service and sacrifice in this arena. These include photos showing himself wearing a police uniform as well as photos featuring “Blue Lives Matter” logo to honor fallen police officers.

He was a member of the Antioch Fire Department

On the night of the shootings in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Rittenhouse and another individual decided to arm themselves and drive to a mechanic shop whose owner had issued an alert seeking protection. There they attempted to administer first aid before being “accosted by multiple rioters”, according to an attorney statement.

On Wednesday, Rittenhouse shared details about his life in Antioch prior to the night he fatally shot two men and wounded one during unrest in Kenosha. Additionally, he testified about what occurred on that particular evening in Illinois.

He told police he was attacked while guarding a business and fired four shots in self-defense before trying to help a man hit by gunfire.

Rittenhouse allegedly used pepper spray against rioters who then ran away. A video later surfaced showing someone who appeared to be Rittenhouse running away from someone with a bullet wound to their head wearing a red “Blue Lives Matter” shirt.

He was a member of Humanize the Badge

Rittenhouse is a proud member of Humanize the Badge, an organization which strives to support law enforcement officers and cadets. In his profile photo on Facebook he can be seen wearing a blue shirt sporting their logo.

He has also posted videos to two TikTok accounts featuring him firing an identical rifle to that seen Tuesday evening.

TikTok account: He wrote on TikTok “BLUE LIVES MATTER” and “TRUMP 2020,” after attending one of Trump’s political rallies in Iowa last year.

But he also used social media to praise police officers and support racial justice, was an avid supporter of President Donald Trump, and wrote about attending a memorial for one of Minneapolis officer killed during protests.

This week, Rittenhouse filed a civil rights suit alleging he was denied his right to an impartial trial by Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth and other government defendants. This action has been filed in United States District Court for Northern District of Wisconsin with Rittenhouse as plaintiff and all other government defendants listed as defendants.

He was a member of the Blue Lives Matter movement

Rittenhouse had demonstrated his support of law enforcement through participation in police cadet programs, social media posts and declarations of solidarity through “Blue Lives Matter.”

After Jacob Blake was shot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Rittenhouse traveled from Antioch, Illinois with an armed citizen group to Kenosha and joined in with subsequent protests that ensued.

He became involved in multiple altercations with protesters before opening fire, killing two individuals and injuring a third. This event caused great debate in America over guns, vigilantism and racial inequality.

Rittenhouse was found not guilty of all murder charges related to the Kenosha shootings on November 20, 2021 after testifying that he acted out of fear and self-defence.