Mom Of Accused Shooter Gets Standing Ovation At Waukesha Event

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WI—The mother of a 17-year-old accused of killing two protesters days after Jacob Blake was shot by police in Kenosha, got a standing ovation at a Waukesha County event on Thursday.

The event in Pewaukee was sponsored by the Republican Women of Waukesha County, according to Nancy Kormanik, the group's president, told Patch.

However, Kormanik pointed out Wendy Rittenhouse was not invited by the organization. The topics of of the night were safety and self-defense. Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin was a guest speaker and had an interview with Wendy earlier. Malkin invited her to come with and the group accommodated the request, Kormanik said.

The Republican Party of Waukesha County told Patch they didn't sponsor the event.

Thursday's applause came after Malkin made an introduction. Malkin tweeted a photo of Rittenhouse's mother. Rittenhouse's attorney was also with Malkin.

Malkin tweeted: Standing ovation from Waukesha County GOP women for my special guests, @CaliKidJMP & Wendy Rittenhouse, Kyle’s mom. Huge shoutout sent from all of us in WI to warrior @LLinWood. I was able to talk to Kyle by phone & THANK HIM for his courage! #fightback."

Rittenhouse was arrested in Antioch, where he lives, and faces charges in Wisconsin on allegations he fatally shot Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Anthony Huber, 26, of Silver Lake, Wisconsin, and wounded Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, of West Allis, Wisconsin.

On Friday, lawyers for Kyle Rittenhouse fought his return to Wisconsin to face homicide charges that could put him in prison for life. Rittenhouse attorney John Pierce said during a hearing Friday that he wants to fight extradition. The judge gave the defense 14 days to file pleadings before the Oct. 9 hearing.

Reporting and writing from The Associated Press was used in this report.