Kyle Rittenhouse Faces Homicide Charges In Kenosha Shooting: DA

KENOSHA COUNTY, WI — Illinois teenager Kyle Rittenhouse has been charged with fatally shooting two people and wounding another Tuesday night in Kenosha, authorities said.

Rittenhouse, 17, was arrested Wednesday in Illinois and charged with five felonies and a misdemeanor Thursday. He is awaiting hearing Friday on the status of his extradition to Wisconsin. Rittenhouse, an Antoich resident, has been charged as an adult, according to court documents.

Authorities say the fatal shootings happened just before midnight south of downtown Kenosha during what was the third night of protests in response to the shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake by Kenosha police.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Kenosha County Court, investigators used a combination of eyewitness accounts and cell phone videos to piece together what happened on Sheridan Road Tuesday night involving Rittenhouse and the three people he is accused of shooting.

Investigators say Rittenhouse was carrying a Smith and Wesson AR-15-style .223 rifle as he stood in front of the Car Source used car dealership at the northwest corner of 63rd Street and Sheridan Road just south of Kenosha's Downtown.

Richard McGinniss, identified by police as a reporter, said he was interviewing Rittenhouse at the time when Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, of Kenosha, confronted Rittenhouse, leading to a chase, the complaint says.

According to the complaint, an eyewitness video showed Rosenbaum chasing Rittenhouse and throwing what was ultimately determined to be a plastic bag at him. A second eyewitness video shows Rosenbaum close in on Rittenhouse as the two ran through the parking lot, the complaint says.

The complaint says McGinniss told investigators that Rosenbaum tried reaching for the barrel of Rittenhouse's AR-15. Authorities said four loud "bangs" are heard on an eyewitness video, and Rosenbaum was seen collapsing to the ground.

According to Kenosha police, a different eyewitness video showed Rittenhouse running up to where Rosenbaum lay to check on him as McGinniss removed his shirt in an attempt to render aid. Investigators said Rittenhouse pulled out his cell phone, and can be heard saying "I just killed somebody," as he ran away. Rosenbaum was rushed to a local hospital where he was declared deceased just before 1 a.m.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner said Rosenbaum suffered a gunshot wound to his right groin that fractured his pelvis, a gunshot wound to his back which punctured his right lung and liver, a gunshot wound to his left and two superficial wounds.

Second Man Shot, Killed

According to the criminal complaint, Rittenhouse ran north on Sheridan Road after he shot Rosenbaum.

The street and sidewalk were full of people, and investigators said eyewitness video captured angry demonstrators yelling "beat him up," "hey, he shot him," and "get him, get that dude" as they realize what just happened.

Investigators say Rittenhouse fell to the ground as he ran from the demonstrators. Police say one demonstrator confronted Rittenhouse, and stood over him. Investigators said Rittenhouse fired two shots from his AR-15 — and missed. Police said the demonstrator ran off.

According to the criminal complaint, a second man, later identified as Anthony Huber, 26, of Silver Lake, confronted Rittenhouse as he still lay on his back in the middle of Sheridan Road.

Investigators said eyewitness video showed Huber reaching for Rittenhouse's gun with his left hand as he held his skateboard in his right hand.

According to the criminal complaint, the video showed Huber trying to pull the gun away from Rittenhouse, who fired one shot into Huber's chest. Video showed Huber staggering away, taking several steps and then collapsing to the ground.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's office said Huber had a gunshot wound to his chest that punctured his heart, aorta, pulmonary artery and right lung.

Third Man Shot, Wounded

Authorities said Rittenhouse sat up, and pointed his gun at a third man, later identified as Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, of West Allis.

According to the criminal complaint, Grosskreutz, who appeared to be holding a handgun, initially put his hands in the air as Rittenhouse shot Huber. But he then put his hands down and moved toward Rittenhouse moments later.

Authorities said Rittenhouse fired his AR-15 again, striking Grosskreutz in the arm.

According to police, Rittenhouse got up and started walking north on Sheridan away from where he shot Huber and Grosskreutz.

Authorities said Rittenhouse pointed his AR-15 toward the gathering crowd as he walked backward from the scene.

Rittenhouse has been charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a dangerous weapon by a person younger than 18.

If convicted of either of the two first-degree intentional homicide charges he faces, Rittenhouse faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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