Kyle Rittenhouse - A Timeline of Key Events
- Megan Brink
- Nov 24, 2021
- 4 min read
A case that gripped the world. A verdict that has divided the people.
Who is Kyle Rittenhouse?
Kyle Rittenhouse is an 18-year-old from Illinois, US. A quick glance at Rittenhouse’s social media will show you he is an avid supporter of pro-police causes like the Blue Lives Matter movement and Humanise the Badge, a nonprofit that he ran a Facebook fundraiser for on his 16th birthday. The Grayslake Police Department has confirmed Rittenhouse participated in a cadet programme with the police. Alongside his pro-police posts are images of him assembling a rifle, practising target shooting, and posing with weapons. On the night of August 25th 2020, 17-year-old Rittenhouse travelled from his mother’s home in Antioch, Illinois to Kenosha, Wisconsin where his father lived. That night he fatally shot two men and injured another. These are the key events from the Kenosha shootings.
The Timeline
23 August 2020
Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old black man was shot in Kenosha, Wisconsin by officer Rusen
Sheskey. This left Blake paralysed from the waist down and sparked several nights of protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
25 August 2020 On the third night of unrest, 17-year-old Rittenhouse travelled from Antioch to Kenosha armed with a military style semi-automatic rifle (a Smith & Wesson M&P 15.) Rittenhouse claims his intentions were to protect local businesses and offer medical help to protesters, as he had been trained during his time in the cadet programme and when he worked briefly as a lifeguard. The protesters were throwing water bottles and fireworks at police officers. They set fire to the bins that lined the streets, torched vehicles and sent local businesses down in a blaze of flames. During the protest, footage shows Rittenhouse being chased into a used car lot. Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, throws a plastic bag at him. An unknown gunman fires his weapon into the air, as Rittenhouse turns towards the sound of the shots, Rosenbaum lunges at him. Rittenhouse fires his rifle four times and fatally shoots Rosenbaum. Rittenhouse runs in the direction of the armoured vehicles where the police and National Guardsmen were stationed. A group begins chasing after him yelling, “That’s the shooter.” He trips and falls to the ground. A man attempts to kick Rittenhouse, who fires two rounds but misses. Also in the group is Anthony Huber, 26, who approaches Rittenhouse with his skateboard and attempts to wrestle for his gun. Rittenhouse fires a shot into Huber’s chest, killing him instantly. Following the fatal round, a third man, Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, approaches Rittenhouse with a Glock pointed at him. Rittenhouse fires a shot through his arm, resulting in a 90% loss of his right bicep. Rittenhouse’s bullets were not the only shots fired during the altercation; video footage identifies at least 16 bullets that were fired from other sources during the time Rittenhouse was on the ground. Rittenhouse walked with his hands above his head as the police drove past him on their way to provide assistance to the victims, ignoring the screams from protesters that Kyle Rittenhouse was the shooter.
26 August 2020 Rittenhouse is arrested at his home in Antioch and held in a juvenile detention facility in Lake County, Illinois.
27 August 2020 Rittenhouse is charged on five counts: Count One: First Degree Reckless Homicide, Use of a Dangerous Weapon. This charge was in connection with the killing of Joseph Rosenbaum and carries a punishment of up to 60 years in prison. Count Two: First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Use of a Dangerous Weapon. In connection with the shooting of Joseph Rosenbaum and carrying a punishment of upwards of twelve-and-a-half years in prison, with an additional five years for the use of a dangerous weapon. Count Three: First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Use of a Dangerous Weapon. This is in connection to the two shots that were fired at, and missed, the unknown man who kicked Rittenhouse. This carries a sentence of more than twelve-and-a-half years in prison and an additional five for the use of a dangerous weapon. Count Four: First Degree Intentional Homicide, Use of a Dangerous Weapon. Relating to the killing of Anthony Huber, this carries a sentence of 60 years in prison with an additional five years for the use of a dangerous weapon. Count Five: Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide, Use of a Dangerous Weapon. This is on account of the shooting of Gaige Grosskreutz and carries a 60 year prison sentence with an additional five years for the use of a dangerous weapon. Dropped counts against Rittenhouse include the possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18; the judge dismissed this on November 15th on account of a confusing statute. A charge against him for failure to comply with an emergency order from the state or local government was also dropped. 30 October 2020 An Illinois judge ruled that Rittenhouse is to be extradited to Wisconsin for the Kenosha Shooting Murder Trial. 2 November 2020 Bail for Kyle Rittenhouse is set at $2 million. This bail was raised by conservative groups, namely The Fight Back Foundation, with generous donations from Michael Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, and actor, Ricky Schroder. 20 November 2020 Rittenhouse posts bail and is released. 5 January 2021 Rittenhouse pleads not guilty and the US District Attorney announces the officer who shot Jacob Blake will not face charges. 1 November 2021 The trial begins with jury selection. 2 - 16 November 2021 During the trial, Rittenhouse claims self-defence to all of the charges brought against him. In an emotional testimony that sees Rittenhouse breakdown, he says, "I didn't do anything wrong. I defended myself.” Find his testimony here.
16 November 2021 The jury begins deliberation. 19 November 2021 Kyle Rittenhouse is acquitted on all charges.
This verdict has resulted in a flurry of mixed opinions and sparked numerous debates surrounding gun laws, racial prejudice, and the effectiveness of the judicial system. Follow the conversations happening on social media surrounding the verdict with the hashtag #Rittenhouse.