Kyle Rittenhouse, then 17, became a national figure after a chaotic night during the 2020 Kenosha unrest sparked by the police shooting of Jacob Blake. On August 25, he shot three men—killing two and wounding one—claiming self- defense amid riots, a claim a jury ultimately upheld in his 2021 trial.

Incident Background

Protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, turned violent after Blake's shooting, with arson and looting reported. Rittenhouse, from nearby Antioch, Illinois, traveled there armed with an AR-15-style rifle, saying he aimed to protect businesses and provide medical aid.

  • Riots damaged dozens of buildings; armed civilians, including Rittenhouse, showed up.
  • Video footage captured much of the events, fueling intense public debate.

The Shootings

Rittenhouse fled after Joseph Rosenbaum chased and lunged for his gun in a parking lot; he shot Rosenbaum four times, killing him. As Rittenhouse ran toward police, Anthony Huber struck him with a skateboard and grabbed the rifle—Rittenhouse fired once, fatally wounding Huber. Gaige Grosskreutz then approached with a handgun; Rittenhouse shot him in the arm. Grosskreutz survived and testified he pointed his gun because he feared for others' lives.

"I used deadly force to stop the threat that was attacking me." – Kyle Rittenhouse testimony

Trial and Charges

Prosecutors charged Rittenhouse with homicide, attempted homicide, reckless endangerment, illegal gun possession (as a minor), and curfew violation—facing up to 205 years if convicted. Defense argued all force was justified under Wisconsin self-defense law, requiring reasonable fear of imminent death or great harm, with no duty to retreat.

Key trial highlights:

  1. Drone and bystander videos showed attackers pursuing Rittenhouse.
  2. Prosecutors called him a reckless vigilante; defense portrayed victims as aggressors (Rosenbaum had mental health issues and arson history; Huber a criminal record; Grosskreutz armed).
  1. Rittenhouse testified he feared for his life each time.

Verdict Outcome

After 26+ hours of deliberation in November 2021, the jury acquitted Rittenhouse on all counts, accepting his self-defense claim. The judge dismissed the gun charge pre-verdict. No federal charges followed, though civil suits remain possible.

Multiple Viewpoints

  • Pro-Rittenhouse : Hero defending property amid lawlessness; 2nd Amendment rights upheld.
  • Critics : Vigilante provoked violence; underage with a gun escalated chaos.
  • Legal experts : Clear self-defense under WI law, but case highlighted gun access and protest tensions.

Recent Context

Since acquittal, Rittenhouse has spoken at conservative events, authored a book, and pursued college. No major legal developments by early 2026, though he remains a polarizing figure in gun rights and BLM debates.

TL;DR : Rittenhouse shot three during 2020 Kenosha riots, killed two after being attacked, acquitted on self-defense in 2021—sparking ongoing national divide.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.