The Kenosha Shooting

On the evening of Sunday the 23^rd of August, a Kenosha Police Department officer shot and seriously injured Jacob Blake. This police shooting was captured on film and shared widely, and re-ignited much of the anger, civil unrest, protest and rioting seen in the wake of George Floyd’s death back in May of 2020.

Two days later, on Tuesday the 25^th of August during the third consecutive night of demonstrations and riots in the city, 17 year old Kyle Rittenhouse allegedly shot and killed Joseph D. Rosenbaum, 36, Anthony M. Huber, 26, shooting and injuring a third man, Gaige Paul Grosskreutz, also 26. Case № 2020CF000983
Criminal Complaint
State of Wisconsin (Plaintiff)
vs.
Kyle H. Rittenhouse (Defendant)
Filed 27^th August 2020
(PDF)

The media have tried to make sense of the incident, to contextualise, rationalise and summarise it – as is their mandate. However, many major outlets fail to do so objectively. Objective journalism seems to be a thing of the past, if it were ever a thing. What can be said for certain about this incident is that little is certain. We don’t know how the altercation that led to the shootings started. We don’t know who the initial aggressors were nor what motives people carried in to the incident. In trying to mould this story to fit a preconceived narrative, objectivity is lost and the characters in this tragedy are re-shaped to become players in a wider game.

Conservative, Progressive and Liberal voices across the board are guilty of this. The shooter, Kyle Rittenhouse, is being vilified by some as a domestic terrorist, vigilante, a white supremacist A 17 year old white supremacist domestic terrorist drove across state lines, armed with an AR 15.

He shot and killed 2 people who had assembled to affirm the value, dignity, and worth of Black lives.

Fix your damn headlines.
―
27^th August 2020
Ayanna Pressley
@AyannaPressley (Twitter)
Congresswoman (D) MA 7^th District
Note
Rittenhouse’s legal team’s statement claims the rifle was not brought across the state border from Illinois: The weapons were in Wisconsin and never crossed state lines.
28^th August 2020
Pierce Bainbridge P.C.
Legal Team Statement
Pierce Bainbridge Engaged to Represent 17-Year Old Kyle Rittenhouse (PDF) and a cold murderer who came to Kenosha with the intent to kill. Others choose to paint him as a poster boy for the second amendment, for the Boogaloo movement and as a patriot defending ordinary Americans and their property from an insurgent far-left Antifa. The same tinting is applied to those he shot. Were they victims and heroes? Or rioters, radical activists and thugs themselves? These are questions we simply don’t have a straight answer to. We won’t have an answer to many of these questions until Rittenhouse’s trial concludes, if ever.

So, this is an experiment in objectivity. Below is a presentation of fact, as sincere and without opinion as I can muster. If you consider it biased, say how and I will correct it. Further sources and details are most welcome. It irritates me that it’s considered acceptable to write articles claiming to present fact without citing and linking any sources. Hopefully the considerable effort I’ve made here to annotate and link to sources is satisfactory, but anywhere a source is missing I’d be happy to add one if you can provide it, or remove the claim. I’ll not repeatedly link to the same source again, though, so please check all sources before calling me out.

Only once the facts are presented unmolested should we then draw our conclusions. Finding such a presentation of fact is increasingly difficult, as evidence – videos, images – are removed from social media and sharing sites for violating policies against graphic depictions of violence. This can leave you with little unadulterated evidence left to look at.

Ask yourself, what was your instinctive verdict about what happened in Kenosha? Have you changed your opinion since? Are those around you trying to discover the truth, or are they instead trying to brow-beat others in to conceding that their narrative is correct? Truth is singular. Its versions are mis-truths.

Background

The incident unfolded as two separate shootings a minute or so apart, some hundred or so metres from each-other. Kenosha riot shootings as they happened
26^th August 2020
/c/Insubordination, Liveleak Kyle Rittenhouse is attending the scene of the demonstrations It’s hard to find an objective word for what was happening. Riot, demonstration, protest, disturbance and gathering all entail an opinion about legitimacy and legality. I’ll use demonstration and protest absent better words. from out of state, with a small group of loosely organized armed individuals. He lives nearby, some 20 miles away in Antioch, Illinois, and works as a community lifeguard in Kenosha. He is wearing a khaki-green T-shirt, a white cap and blue medical gloves. He’s carrying a medical kit, and is armed with a black Smith & Wesson AR-15 pattern semi-automatic rifle Criminal Complaint, State of Wisconsin vs. Kyle H. Rittenhouse
Note
It’s a whole separate topic but no, this AR-15 is not an assault rifle because it is not select fire, meaning it cannot fire in an automatic mode. One bullet is fired per trigger pull. chambered in .223 with a sling. He doesn’t appear to be carrying a sidearm or further ammunition besides the one standard capacity 30 round magazine visible in the rifle’s magazine well.

There are burned out cars and buildings near the area where the incident took place, from rioting that occurred a night or so ago. On the ground in Kenosha, WI for @townhallcom
24^th August 2020
Julio Rosas @Julio_Rosas11 (Twitter) Many businesses and homes have been boarded up, and Graffiti is sprayed on the street, cars and buildings, including the Kenosha County Courthouse. Some cars have had their windows and lights broken, garbage cans have been set alight or overturned, and many street lamps have been pulled down.

A thin crowd of demonstrators have gathered, with police nearby in armoured vehicles and patrol cars, forming a loose perimeter around them. In response to the previous nights of unrest, a city-wide curfew from 8 PM to 7 AM has been imposed. County wide emergency curfew in effect until 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24  (Archive)
23^rd August 2020
Kenosha County Government
Tuesday evening, Aug. 25, Statement from Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth  (Archive)
25^th August 2020
Kenosha County Government

There are a lot of firearms visible at the demonstration. The group Rittenhouse is with almost all have long guns or shotguns. Some have sidearms too, and may protesters can be seen with handguns, some holstered and some drawn. Fireworks and fire crackers are being set off frequently, so people don’t seem to presume to hear gunfire when loud bangs ring out.

Kyle is seen on camera multiple times in the hours leading up to the shootings. He is pictured at one point earlier during the day helping to clean graffiti from a wall. Rittenhouse and his group are in-amongst the demonstrators for an extended period of time, and initially it seems there is little tension between the armed group and the other demonstrators. Suspected teen gunman Kyle Rittenhouse spotted cleaning Kenosha graffiti before shooting  (Archive)
26^th August 2020
New York Post
What we know about accused Kenosha gunman Kyle Rittenhouse  (Archive)
27^th August 2020
New York Post Some groups seem intent on starting fires, breaking windows, fighting and damaging property. Both the armed group and most other demonstrators are seen discouraging this, and keep their distance from these agitators, which multiple streamers label as Antifa.

Rittenhouse tells The Daily Caller’s livestream that our job is to protect this business, and part of my job is also to help people. […] That’s why I have my rifle because I’ve got to protect myself, but I’ve also got my med kit. Alleged Kenosha Shooter Spoke With Daily Caller Before Fatal Incident (YouTube)
27^th August 2020
The Daily Caller

In the Daily Caller clip one man is heard alleging Rittenhouse brandished his rifle at someone jumping on a car earlier in the night. There isn’t evidence to suggest this confrontation is connected to the shootings that follow later, if it happened. Rittenhouse is seen in further clips offering medical support to protesters and guarding businesses alongside the armed group, some of whom are standing on the rooftops.

It’s not clear how this armed group organised and planned their attendance, and what all their motives for doing so were. We don’t know how closely Rittenhouse is associated with this group.

Some sources are alleging Rittenhouse was following or participated in a now-removed Facebook page called Kenosha Guard Facebook takes down ‘call to arms’ event after two shot dead in Kenosha
26^th August 2020
The Verge
Also
Kyle Rittenhouse: Who is US teen accused of Kenosha Wisconsin protest murders?
27^th August 2020
BBC News that issued a call to arms for its members. The group advertised a meeting place of 900, 57^th Street, 900, 57^th Street, Kenosha WI (Google Maps)
(42.583977, -87.823742) only half a mile north of where the shootings occurred. As the page has since been deleted by Facebook, not all of this cannot be verified, however Facebook stated to The Verge that they have not found any evidence that Rittenhouse was invited to the Facebook event or followed the page. There is no evidence that the armed group seen in footage from the scene is actually the same so-called Kenosha Guard.

One man in the armed group can be seen wearing a yellow shirt with a Libertarian party Porcupine emblem on it. Another is seen wearing a different Libertarian T-shirt. There’s no footage or other evidence in which the group self-identify as Boogaloo militia, though this label has been used widely for the group. When asked, one said he simply identified as an armed citizen. The man in yellow can be heard saying to the protesters As-long-as you fuck with the government and not each-other we are with you. No lives can matter until black lives matter.

The group are initially well received by the protesters, and express their support for the protest under the condition it remains peaceful and non-destructive. Some time later, a clip shows the armed group and some protesters starting to argue and shout after a dumpster on fire was put out, Source: Drew Hernandez @livesmattershow (Twitter) and as the armed group blocks the protesters from advancing into an Ultimate gas station. Rosenbaum appears to be one of the people pushing the lit dumpster before it is extinguished. A piece of debris is thrown at them from the crowd. Rittenhouse can’t be seen at the gas station, but he seems to be heard in the background nearby offering medical support.

One of the demonstrators, wearing a red T-shirt with a black pocket and blue denim shorts is heard shouting Shoot me nigga! Bust on me nigga, for real! Source Julio Rosas @Julio_Rosas11 (Twitter)
And
Source Drew Hernandez @livesmattershow (Twitter) and behaving confrontationally towards the armed group. He has been widely identified as Rosenbaum, though this has not been verified by an official source. The situation is diffused by members of both groups trying to calm things down. Rosenbaum can be seen carrying a plastic bag at the station.

Grosskreutz and Huber can also be seen in footage from the gas station, though they are just watching or filming the events. Source: The Daily Caller EXCLUSIVE: The Deadly Third Night Of Kenosha Riots (YouTube) Other than a few brief flare-ups and scuffles, the mood is generally calm, with most people standing about.

On social media, Rittenhouse associated himself with the Blue Lives Matter movement, the Thin Blue Line, and was a member of the Grayslake PD Police Cadets. He has expressed support for President Trump and appears to have attended a Trump rally in Iowa in January of 2020. Kyle Rittenhouse, Accused Kenosha Shooter, Posted TikTok Video From Trump Rally
27^th August 2020
Heavy There is no evidence whatsoever that his politics strayed in to white supremacy, that he supported or associated with violent counter-protest groups like the so-called Proud Boys, or supported the instigation of violence against protesters, BLM or Antifa.

Rosenbaum, Huber and Grosskreutz are all alleged to have a criminal history. Rosenbaum was allegedly a registered sex offender, and had open charges filed against him for battery and bail-jumping earlier in 2020. Case № 2020CM000836
State of Wisconsin vs. Joseph Don Rosenbaum
Class A Misd.: Battery (Domestic Abuse)
Class B Misd.: Disorderly Conduct (Domestic Abuse)
Filed 20^th July 2020
Also Case № 2020CM000903
And
Rosenbaum was a registered sex offender for a sex crime involving a minor.
27^th August 2020
Andy Ngô
@MrAndyNgo (Twitter) Huber has various convictions from 2012, 2015 and 2018 for possession of drug paraphernalia, domestic abuse including strangulation, suffocation, false-imprisonment, and use of a dangerous weapon. Case № 2012CF001346
State of Wisconsin vs. Anthony M. Huber
Felony H: Strangulation and Suffocation (Domestic Abuse). Guilty due to Guilty plea
Felony H: False Imprisonment (Domestic Abuse, Use of a Dangerous Weapon). Guilty due to Guilty plea
Filed 7^th December 2012
Also Case № 2018CM000509
Also Case № 2015FO000392 Grosskreutz has a conviction for firearm possession while intoxicated. Case № 2016CM001014
State of Wisconsin vs. Gaige P Grosskreutz
Class A Misd.: Go Armed with Firearm While Intoxicated. Guilty due to Guilty plea
Filed 22^nd April 2016 It is unclear whether this conviction included a ban on him possessing a firearm and whether that ban is still in effect. Rittenhouse has two outstanding traffic violations from 2020 filed against him.

All four people involved lived nearby. Rosenbaum was a Kenosha resident, and Huber lived in Silver Lake WI, 20 miles from Kenosha. Grosskreutz is a resident of West Allis WI, 43 miles away. Anthony Huber, 26, identified by loved ones as man killed in Kenosha unrest
26^th August 2020
CBS 58
And
Gaige Grosskreutz, wounded in Tuesday night shooting in Kenosha, will need arm surgery
27^th August 2020
Chicago Sun Times

It is worth remembering that Rittenhouse’s background, and those of the three individuals that were shot are not relevant to the question of whether Rittenhouse was acting in self-defence.

The Shooting

The first shooting occurred on the intersection of 63^rd Street and Sheridan Road at 23:46. Source for time of shootings: NYT Journalist Christiaan Triebert @trbrtc (Twitter)
And
Criminal Complaint, State of Wisconsin vs. Kyle H. Rittenhouse
Location determined from footage and criminal complaint: 6226 Sheridan Road, WI 53143 (Google Maps)
(42.578137, -87.821884) Rittenhouse can be seen running from the man identified as Joseph Rosenbaum, who is shirtless and wearing his red T-shirt as a bandanna. EVERY VIDEO OF KYLE RITTENHOUSE KENOSHA SHOOTING (LiveLeak/YouTube)
26^th August 2020
/c/someaussiedude, Liveleak Rosenbaum is in-turn being followed by a man wearing a black T-shirt and helmet. This man in black is identified by police and others as Richard ‘Richie’ McGinnis, a reporter affiliated with The Daily Caller. I interviewed the alleged shooter before the violence started
26^th August 2020
Richard McGinnis @RichieMcGinnis (Twitter)

Rittenhouse is pursued across a well-lit parking lot for some 50 or so metres. Rosenbaum throws what looks like a plastic bag at Rittenhouse as they both run – some sources claim this was a Molotov cocktail that failed to ignite, but there’s no evidence that supports this assertion.

Whatever was thrown misses or does no harm. A second or so after the item was thrown, Rittenhouse stops running, turns and fires four shots in quick succession at Rosenbaum. Rosenbaum drops to the ground, and is pictured bleeding from a head wound, his left hand and his chest. Later, wounds on his back and left buttock are visible as he’s being carried to the back of a car. Kenosha demonstrators carry protester who was allegedly shot in head (Odysee)
26^th August 2020
/c/NewsFlare, Liveleak An hour after being shot, Rosenbaum is pronounced dead at a Hospital, time of death 12:47 am. The autopsy report indicates that Rosenbaum suffered five gunshot wounds:

Rosenbaum had a gunshot wound to the right groin which fractured his pelvis, a gunshot wound to the back which perforated his right lung and liver, a gunshot wound to the left hand, a superficial gunshot wound to his lateral left thigh, and a graze gunshot wound to the right side of his forehead.

There is no close and clear footage of the first shooting, though it appears that not all shots fired came from Kyle’s rifle. One shot is heard first as Rosenbaum continues to give chase, followed a heartbeat later with four shots in quick succession. Another burst of three shots follow a second or so later.

Rittenhouse seems to have his back to Rosenbaum when the first shot is heard, but has turned to face him and has shouldered his rifle by the time the burst of four is heard. Similarly for the final burst of three shots, Rittenhouse has a parked car between him and Joseph, who is now lying on the ground, and is facing in the wrong direction to fire at him again, and moving away from him. The statement from Rittenhouse’s legal team says Upon the sound of a gunshot behind him, Kyle turned and was immediately faced with an attacker lunging towards him and reaching for his rifle. Legal Team Statement – Pierce Bainbridge Engaged to Represent 17-Year Old Kyle Rittenhouse

It is plausible, though still unproven, that someone else also fired to account for the first and final three shots. In the statement he gave to police, McGinnis refers to an unknown man in this thirties who stated he was there to protect Rittenhouse, though doesn’t say this man was involved. McGinnis also alleges that Rosenbaum attempted to take control of Rittenhouse’s rifle. We can’t see if this is true from the available footage, or what role if any this ‘protector’ played.

The sound of the first and last bursts of gunfire seem different in character to the four we can be confident Rittenhouse took. A streamer is near the site of the second shooting when the first is heard. The four shots from Rittenhouse are further differentiated in sound from the others, as heard at this location.
Kenosha Wisconsin Night III - Facebook Feed (YouTube)
Mercado Media
Timestamp 3:39:58 McGinnis can be seen with his right arm outstretched when the shots are heard, but a handgun can’t be seen. A few seconds later he’s pictured holding a cellphone with the camera app open in his left hand as he tends to Rosenbaum lying on the ground, so it is most likely that he was holding the camera outstretched prior-to the shooting. No footage identifiably from McGinnis’ camera seems to have appeared online.

Some sources, notably the NYT, Tracking the Suspect in the Fatal Kenosha Shootings  (Archive)
27^th August 2020
The New York Times
Above, image highlighting what the NYT are identifying as Handgun muzzle flash, saying An unknown gunman fires into the air, though it’s unclear why. The weapon’s muzzle flash appears in footage filmed at the scene.. Rosenbaum is labeled as Lunging man. are claiming to identify muzzle flash from a second unidentified shooter in the left of the frame in the second angle filmed by Hernandez (See: Below). They and others believe that a handgun was fired into the air as the first shot, rather than at a person. This would be consistent with the difference in sound between the shots, and with Rittenhouse’s legal team’s statement. While he is being pursued, an unknown gunman fires the first shot into the air. The NYT claim is that is the same shot as the handgun flash allegedly visible above, but the relative perspectives of the two pieces of footage make that very unlikely.
Christian Triebert
@trbrtc (Twitter)

There’s little detail on what started the confrontation and chase between Rittenhouse and Rosenbaum. In the Criminal Complaint against Rittenhouse, some information from the police interview with McGinnis is given. He says as the defendant was walking Rosenbaum was trying to get closer to the defendant. When Rosenbaum advanced, the defendant did a juke move and started running. McGinnis stated that there were other people that were moving very quickly. McGinnis stated that they were moving towards the defendant. McGinnis said that according to what he saw the defendant was trying to evade these individuals. (The defendant here being Rittenhouse)

Rittenhouse and McGinnis approach the injured Rosenbaum lying on the ground, with McGinnis taking off his helmet then shirt, using it to apply pressure to the head wound. Rittenhouse is seen taking out his phone, widely claimed as proof that he is calling an ambulance or the police, but the Criminal Complaint cites witness Dominic Black who states that he was the recipient of the call in which Rittenhouse stated I just killed somebody. Kyle runs back in the direction he originally came from when members of the crowd point him out, shout Get that motherfucker! He just shot someone! Stop him! and give chase. McGinnis stays with Rosenbaum as others also approach to offer aid.

In the second shooting, four shots are fired by Rittenhouse about one and a half minutes later, 23:51 local time, within a hundred metres of the first incident. Location determined from footage and criminal complaint: 6093-6083 WI-32 (Google Maps)
(42.579661, -87.821513) This exact number of shots is again not certain, though the footage is clearer. Rittenhouse is being perused by a group of men, and appears to be punched by one before falling to the ground. He shoulders his rife, which deters one man from attacking him. Another takes a run-up to jump and kick Rittenhouse, and the first and second shots are taken at this man. It appears both shots miss as he then runs out of frame seemingly unharmed.

Another man wearing a black hoodie and clue cap closes on Rittenhouse and swings a skateboard at him, hitting him on the left side of his head or shoulder. This man is identified as Anthony Huber. Huber appears to try and gain control of Rittenhouse’s rifle, grasping the fore-grip. Rittenhouse fires a second shot from the ground up at Huber, which hits him in the chest. He stumbles a few metres before collapsing, pictured clutching at his chest. Huber is the second fatality.

A third man runs in to frame quickly, but pauses a metre or so from Rittenhouse and dicks as the shot at Huber is taken. This third man is Grosskreutz. Initially he makes eye contact with Rittenhouse with his hands held up surrendering, a Glock handgun drawn and visible in his right hand. Rittenhouse is still on the ground, and hesitates. Some claim that he clears a malfunction with his rifle, as he appears to tilt it to the left and move his right hand from the trigger grip. Grosskreutz brings his hands down and fumbles, stepping towards Rittenhouse. It’s not clear if he takes aim at Kyle with the handgun. Rittenhouse fires up at him, striking him above the right elbow taking a large chunk of his right bicep off. He turns withdraws after being shot, coming to his knees on the sidewalk nearby yelling for a medic.

Two other members of the armed group and a livestreamer render aid to Grosskreutz, assisting with the application of a tourniquet to his right arm. Eyewitness says he saw armed civilian discharging firearm in Kenosha (LiveLeak)
26^th August 2020
/c/NewsFlare, Liveleak Both armed men are wearing olive green or khaki tactical vests. One is a tall, slim man in olive green, and the other a shorter large man in black. They can be seen in the still image with Grosskreutz in below.

A few seconds later, a further eight bangs can be heard, but they don’t come from Rittenhouse or particularly close to him as he and those around him don’t react defensively to seek cover. He turns and briefly shoulders his rifle in response, but lowers it again without firing.

Rittenhouse is then seen running towards a group of police vehicles with his hands up, as the vehicles start moving towards the scene of the shooting. The police don’t seem interested in him despite shouts from the crowd, proceeding towards the injured to load Huber into onf of the armoured police vehicles.

The autopsy for Huber found a single gunshot wound as the cause of death:

Dr. Kelley indicated that Huber had a gunshot wound to his chest that perforated his heart, aorta, pulmonary artery, and right lung.

Presumably all three people that were shot were taken to the ER at the Kenosha Medical Center, across the street from the site of the first shooting.

We don’t know how many of those involved in the second shooting witnessed the first shooting involving Rosenbaum. Huber and Grosskreutz can’t be identified in footage of the first shooting, but come from the same direction as Kyle. They may have believed Rittenhouse had fired upon demonstrators without provocation, and that they were justified in attacking him.

The reporter from Mercado Media is confused as-to who the first shooter was, despite being positioned in-between the two incidents and seeing Rittenhouse run past him. He thinks Rittenhouse was falsely identified as the first shooter, though is later corrected. A friend of Grosskreutz, Jacob Marshall allegedly quotes Grosskreutz […] Friend says [Grosskreutz] regrets not being able to kill [Rittenhouse]
27^th August 2020
Andy Ngô
@MrAndyNgo (Twitter)
as later saying his only regret was not killing the kid and hesitating to pull the gun before emptying the entire mag into him. While a purported screen-shot of this Facebook comment exists, it cannot be properly authenticated as this comment is not public on his Facebook page, and the quote cannot be confirmed as coming from Grosskreutz.

Aftermath

Kyle Rittenhouse has been charged by the Kenosha County District Attorney with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and use of a dangerous weapon, and one count of attempted first-degree homicide through the use of a dangerous weapon. He is also charged with recklessly endangering the safety of McGinnis, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under the age of 18. Criminal Complaint, State of Wisconsin vs. Kyle H. Rittenhouse Irrespective of whether he is found guilty of illegal possession or recklessly endangering McGinnis, he does not forfeit his right to self defence because the weapon was carried illegally. Similarly, Grosskreutz does not forfeit his right to self-defence if found to be illegally possessing his handgun.

Rittenhouse was arrested in Antioch, Illinois at his mother’s address. This implies he was able to leave the scene unaccosted. His legal team is a claiming he shot in self defence. No comment was made on the charge of illegal possession of the rifle, nor on the charge of recklessly endangering safety.

It is unlikely that this case will be simple to resolve. Attempting to flee from his assailants rather than retaliate immediately will stand in his favour and not against him, as this positions him as a non-aggressor and seeking non-lethal resolution before resorting to force. It is not legal to use deadly force to protect property in Wisconsin, which arguably undermines his justification for carrying in the first place. Deadly force can only be used in self-defence if it is required to avoid death or great bodily harm. There is no duty to retreat, unless you are the initial aggressor. To convict him of first-degree murder the prosecution will have to show that he either came to the area with the pre-meditated intent to kill someone, or that he fired upon one of the two men that died when they did not present a clear and present threat to him.

Because he is 17 years old, Rittenhouse faces a charge of a Class A misdemeanour for possessing or going armed with a firearm under the age of 18. 948.60(2)(a)
Any person under 18 years of age who possesses or goes armed with a dangerous weapon is guilty of a Class A misdemeanour.
This carries a maximum sentence of 9 months imprisonment and a fine of $10,000.
Wisconsin State Statutes, 948.60(2)(a) An exemption is made if the weapon is neither a short-barreled rifle, nor a short-barreled shotgun, and the person has a certificate of accomplishment. 948.60(3)(c)
This section applies only to a person under 18 years of age who possesses or is armed with a rifle or a shotgun if the person is in violation of s. 941.28 or is not in compliance with ss. 29.304 and 29.593.[…]
Wisconsin State Statutes, 948.60(2)(a) From the description given of the rifle by the Criminal Complaint, it does not appear to be a SBR. We don’t know if Rittenhouse has the required certificate or if this section will apply to this case, as this exception is designed to enable hunting use of firearms, not self-defence. In any case, the precise interpretation of these statutes is uncertain.

There do not appear to be any further charges connected to this incident at this time. Grosskreutz, who was shot through the arm, may face charges as he was in possession of and brandished a handgun during the incident. His prior firearms conviction purportedly excludes him from possessing a firearm.

Law enforcement have not indicated that anyone else is currently wanted for questioning or arrest in connection with these shootings. Kenosha PD Detective Bureau have appealed for further witnesses to come forwars and any footage of the incident to be provided, contact 262-605-5203 (or anonymously at 262-656-7333)