Kyle Rittenhouse, a teenager who shot two demonstrators in the city of Kenosha in the us state of Wisconsin, was acting in self-defense, he could have died. This statement was made in his defense by US President Donald trump, USA Today reports.
“I think he was in danger. Perhaps he could have died. But the investigation will find out, ” the us leader said at a public speech ahead of his visit to Wisconsin. He added that Rittenhouse was trying to run away from the protesters who were chasing him, who were going to harm him, when he tripped and fell.
Trump’s rival in the upcoming election, Democratic candidate Joe Biden, condemned the President and said that he “fanned the flames, instead of putting them out” and “has long lost moral authority.”
What happened in Kenosha is discussed by leading American media. On August 26, a video taken by an eyewitness was published: a crowd of rioters chases 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, who was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and shot a man who tried to attack him. At one point, Rittenhouse stumbles and falls, after which two demonstrators attack him. He opens fire, killing one of them and wounding the other, who is armed with a gun.
The next day, the underage shooter was arrested. It is noted that, judging by his social networks, he is a supporter of the current President and is part of the militia-an informal militia that opposes pogroms and arson during mass protests. Investigators are investigating whether the young man was legally armed.
Mass demonstrations in the city have been going on for more than a week after a police officer opened fire on a black man, James Blake — who did not comply with his demands when trying to detain him and, according to unconfirmed reports, threatened with a knife. The man, who is the father of three children, is paralyzed from the waist down and is in a serious condition. Supporters of the movement for racial justice smash cars, arrange pogroms and clash with police.