Man Killed By Rittenhouse Told Group To 'Shoot Him,' Witness Says

KENOSHA COUNTY, WI — More details surrounding the behavior of the first man fatally shot in Kenosha in August was brought to light Friday as the first week of the trial for Kyle Rittenhouse, 18, wraps up.

A witness to the shooting, Jason Lackowski, took the stand Friday. He described the behavior of Joseph Rosenbaum as belligerent but the former Marine Corps rifleman said he didn't view him as a threat. He did say Rosenbaum was acting aggressively and shouting racial epitaphs.

"He (Rosenbaum) asked us very bluntly to shoot him," Lackowski said. "He said that to me, and he said that to multiple people.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Corey Chirafisi asked Lackowski to share Rosenbaum's exact phrasing. Attorneys for Rittenhouse, who is accused of fatally shooting Rosenbaum and Joseph Huber, say their client acted in self-defense.

"He’s saying, 'shoot me, N-Word, shoot me, N-word'?" Chirafisi asked Lackowksi during cross-examination.

“Yes," he said.

"He’s saying this at a protest about an African American person who was shot by police? "Chirafisi asked.

"Yes," Lackowski said.

Rittenhouse, formerly of Antioch, could face life in prison if convicted in the fatal shootings. Rittenhouse, 18, is also accused of shooting and wounding Gabe Grosskreutz, 26, amid protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Aug. 25, 2020.

Lackowski says he went to Kenosha that night to "help in any way he could." He said earlier in the night, he first met Rittenhouse, who told Lackowski he was an EMT. Lackowski, who also brought medical supplies, said he caught Rittenhouse digging through his medical bag.

"Yes, he did take some medical supplies from my bag," he said.

After gunfire initially erupted at the Car Source Dealership, near 63rd and Sheridan roads, Lackowski said he noticed Rittenhouse again. He said he seemed frazzled and they spoke briefly.

"Mr. Rittenhouse came up to me, and he said something to me. And I told him to run toward the police. I heard gunfire behind me and I kind of blacked out...the next thing I remember was helping out with Gabe," Lackowski said.

He said he used a tourniquet on the wounded Grosskreutz and sat with him until police arrived.

Chirafisi asked Lackowski about Rittenhouse's behavior that night.

"Did you see him threaten anyone?" Chirafisi asked.

"No," Lackowski said.

"Did you see him be aggressive in any manner to anyone?" Chirafsis asked.

"No," Lackowski replied.

Kariann Swart, Rosenbaum's fiancee, took the stand Friday. She said Rosenbaum was released from the hospital a day before the shootings. She also confirmed he suffered from bipolar disorder but had taken his medication the day of the shooting.

If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!

Also on Friday, a second juror was dismissed from the trial. The woman, who is pregnant, said she was experiencing discomfort while serving on the jury. Kenosha County Judge Bruce Schroeder granted her permission to step down. On Thursday, a different juror, a man, was dismissed for telling a court official a joke about the Jacob Blake shooting.

There are now 18 jurors hearing the case. Twelve will be tasked with deciding Rittenhouse's fate.

The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Patch.com editors Ethan Duran and Amie Schaenzer will provide updates from the Rittenhouse trial via Twitter. You can follow Ethan @duranethanj and Amie @editor_Amie.

MORE ON PATCH

• Kyle Rittenhouse Trial: Jury Sees Graphic Videos From Shooting
• Key Figures In The Kyle Rittenhouse Trial: Who They Are
• Kyle Rittenhouse Trial Opening Statements: 5 Things To Know
• Livestream: Opening Arguments Expected In Rittenhouse Trial
• Livestream: Jury Selection Begins In Rittenhouse Trial