Kenosha unrest: Prosecutors file 2 homicide charges against 17-year-old in protest shooting

KENOSHA, Wis. — Prosecutors in Wisconsin formally filed charges against a 17-year-old accused of two deadly shootings in Kenosha on Thursday.

Kyle Rittenhouse, of Antioch, Illinois, was charged with two counts of reckless homicide and use of a dangerous weapon, WDJT reported. Rittenhouse was also charged with two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and use of a dangerous weapon, one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and use of a dangerous weapon, and one count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under the age of 18, the television station reported.

Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley filed the charges Thursday afternoon, according to The Associated Press. Under Wisconsin law, anyone 17 or older is considered an adult in the criminal justice system.

Update 9:34 p.m. EDT Aug. 27: According to a criminal complaint, Rittenhouse is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the death of Anthony Huber, 26, of Silver Lake; first-degree reckless homicide for the death of Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, of Kenosha., and attempted first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting of Gauge Grosskreutz, 26, of West Allis.

According to the complaint, Rittenhouse was speaking to a reporter named Richard McGinnis just before the first shooting at about 11:45 p.m. Tuesday at a used car lot, the Kenosha News reported. McGinnis told police he was walking with the teen and warned him about not handling his weapon properly, the newspaper reported. According to the complaint, Rosenbaum, who appeared to be unarmed, allegedly threw a plastic bag at Rittenhouse.

At that point, Rittenhouse raised his AR-15-style rifle, the News reported.

“McGinnis stated that the first round went into the ground and when the second shot went off the defendant actually had the gun aimed at Rosenbaum,” the complaint said. “McGinnis stated he did not hear the two exchange any words.”

According to the complaint, McGinnis stated that Rosenbaum was attempting to grab the barrel of the gun when he was shot, the News reported.

“As the defendant is running away he can be heard saying on the phone, ’I just killed somebody,’” the complaint states.

Original report: Rittenhouse could face a mandatory life sentence if he is convicted on the homicide charges, the television station reported.

According to authorities, two people were killed and another person was injured Tuesday night during protests in Kenosha against the police shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake. The protests began after a seven-year veteran of the Kenosha Police Department, identified as Rusten Sheskey, shot Blake seven times in the back at point-blank range Sunday while responding to a report of a domestic incident.

Rittenhouse could face a mandatory life sentence if he is convicted on the homicide charges, the television station reported.

According to authorities, two people were killed and another person was injured Tuesday night during protests in Kenosha against the police shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake. The protests began after a seven-year veteran of the Kenosha Police Department, identified as Rusten Sheskey, shot Blake seven times in the back at point-blank range Sunday while responding to a report of a domestic incident.

According to WISN, the two people killed were Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, of Kenosha, and Anthony Huber, 26, of Silver Lake.

A GoFundMe page was launched to raise money for Huber.

The victim who survived the shooting attack Tuesday night was identified as Gaige Grosskreutz, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. He was shot in the arm, the newspaper reported.

Rittenhouse was in custody Wednesday in Illinois ahead of an expected extradition hearing for his transfer to Wisconsin to face charges. Antioch is located about 15 miles from Kenosha.

A public defender was assigned to Rittenhouse in Illinois, and there will be an extradition hearing Friday, the AP reported.

Cox Media Group