Two of the victims have died from their injuries.
What We Know:
- Tensions have been high in Kenosha, Wisconsin since the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha Police on Sunday, and they rose to a fever pitch late Tuesday night.
- A curfew was in effect for nearly all of the city of Kenosha from 8pm Tuesday to 7am Wednesday. As police pushed protestors to go home using bullhorns and armored trucks, many did, but some lingered near a gas station a few blocks away.
- The gas station was surrounded by a group of armed men who stated their aim was to protect the property. The armed men and protestors reportedly had multiple arguing matches. Authorities reported that shots were fired near 63rd street and Sheridan Road around 11:45pm on Tuesday evening.
- Multiple graphic videos circulating social media show the victims with wounds to legs, head, and the torso. One of the videos shows a young White man wearing a green shirt, carrying a rifle, and running away from the gas station while saying into his phone, “I shot somebody.” Another video shows that same man falling to the ground and firing multiple shots into a group of people who appeared to be trying to stop him from shooting.
- In a press release, the police confirmed that two people died and one is currently in the hospital.
— Kenosha Police Dept. (@KenoshaPolice) August 26, 2020
- David Beth, the Kenosha County Sheriff, told The New York Times that police are investigating if the shooting was a result of the conflict between protestors and the group of armed men. He commented on the risk of armed citizens acting as vigilantes, “This is why you don’t deputize citizens with guns to protect Kenosha.”
-
A 17-year-old Illinois resident connected to the shootings was taken into custody Wednesday morning, according to police in Antioch, Illinois. Antioch Police said Wisconsin authorities issued an arrest warrant charging Kyle Rittenhouse with first-degree intentional homicide. He is in the custody of the Lake County Judicial System pending an extradition hearing to transfer custody of him from Illinois to Wisconsin.
Police are investigating and canvassing for more information.
