By the time Kyle Rittenhouse took to the streets of Kenosha with his AR-15 on August 25, 2020, businesses and cars had been torched to the ground and citizens attacked by a mob of rioters who ran wild in protest of Jacob Blake’s shooting, as the Democratic Governor turned down back-up from then President Donald Trump and the two small, local police departments tried to keep up with the escalating chaos.
On Friday, the teenager was found not guilty and released. He had been accused of being a vigilante of racism for over a year. Democrats, the media, and a team made up of prosecutors failed to convince 12 members of the jury in the two previous weeks.
Rittenhouse used a magnifying lens to view the trial. What hasn’t been as thoroughly examined is the time and effort that Rittenhouse spent before he pulled the trigger on the AR-15.
Kenosha was a small town with just 99,000 inhabitants and found itself in the middle of all the chaos surrounding the BLM movement last summer. Jacob Blake, a Black man was shot in the back by a cop during a domestic fight with his mother. Blake survived, but was paralysed by the bullet. The officer who shot Blake wasn’t charged.
Within 24 hours of that shooting, protesters had taken to the streets and hundreds of others from different cities had flocked to the small town to seize the moment.
Tony Evers from Wisconsin, the Democratic Governor of Wisconsin, was a major supporter of protesters and immediately condemned Blake’s shootings on Twitter on August 23.
He said, in one of several tweets, “We stand with all who have and continue the demand justice, equality, and accountability for Black Lives in Our Country,” at 11.23pm.
Within 24 hours, the town of Kenosha – 113 miles from Governor Evers’ mansion in Madison – was under siege.
On August 24, there were over 1,000 in the courthouse, but 466 police officers and National Guard soldiers had to be on the ground to confront them.
August 24, 2020: After Jacob Blake’s shooting by a policeman, Rioters started a firestorm in Kenosha. They set blaze to over 100 buildings and caused $50 million of damage.
This shooting of August 23 resulted in chaos in Kenosha. Jacob Blake, a black man (shown in white) was shot in the back by Kenosha cop Rusten Sheskey. Blake was equipped with a knife. His girlfriend called the police to report that Blake had their baby. Sheskey hit him seven times in the back. Because Blake was armed, federal and state prosecutors didn’t believe they could prove he was in danger of his own life. He wasn’t charged.
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department There were 116 officers sworn on the ground at that time. Kenosha Police had several more officers, but less than 200.
Evers was quick to condemn Blake’s killing before it became clear that Blake was carrying a knife. He was never arrested by the federal as well as state prosecutors.
Evers sent 252 troops on August 24. His office maintains that he sent another 125 troops the following day.
His office claims that this includes all local police agencies ever requested.
These departments will not confirm when and how many troops were requested for back-up.
It is known that, on August 26, the same day as the Rittenhouse shootings, the county board sent out a tweet stating that it requested 1,500 troops.
DailyMail.com received help from the department, however, it was not in the speed or quantity we desired. This week, the Rittenhouse trial went to the jury.
Kyle R.Ittenhouse, who was 20 miles from Antioch in Illinois but lived at the state’s border, and visited Kenosha frequently to see his family, was following the chaos on social media.
On the night of August 24, he had just finished a shift at the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex, a gym, when the riots began.
‘I knew there was protests, demonstrations and riots going on in the later evening.
‘I saw videos on social media, Facebook live streams, TikTok, I saw the lot being burned down, I saw a police officer being assaulted, he had a brick thrown at his head, and I saw the mattress store owner get knocked out.
Rittenhouse stated at Rittenhouse’s trial that he believed Rittenhouse’s jaw had been broken.
After a night filled with violence, the Kenosha County Board asked Governor Evers for help. They pleaded for additional troops.
Evers sent 250 troops to bolster the overall number. He also rejected a proposal for federal troops by President Donald Trump. Trump claimed that he was able to handle the situation himself.
White House Chief-of-Staff Mark Meadows told reporters that the National Guard was available to provide additional support if needed.
“But today, the governor denied that request.
Evers was convinced 250 National Guard troops were sufficient. He said it was a bad idea to send a message to the protesters that there should be federal troops.
“I don’t regret anything because I only said no to Homeland Security, and that was because I saw what happened in Portland,” he stated. He was referring to federal troops stationed in Portland Oregon which angered protesters.
Rittenhouse, one of the vigilantes on the ground at Kenosha was not as certain that violence would be contained. The vigilantes had seen the chaos of previous nights and gained momentum.
Rittenhouse, his stepfather and her boyfriend went to school at noon on August 25th.
He and another friend later bought rifle slings from Jalensky’s outdoor shop.
He stated that he went downtown that evening because he had been trained in first aid, so he could assist amid chaos. The gun was also for his protection.
24 AUGUST: In the early morning of the governor’s tweets, Kenosha. In the first night, rioters set fire to a car lot and destroyed other businesses.
AUGUST 24: There were more than 1,000 people at the courthouse alone on August 24, but only 466 cops and National Guard troops on the ground to face them. After the Rittenhouse trial went before the jury, Governor Evers tweeted a flurry. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department spoke to DailyMail.com and said that they had 116 sworn officials on the ground. Kenosha Police Department was able to send a couple more officers but not more than 200. Governor Evers also sent only 125 National Guard troops at the time.
NIGHT OF August 24, 2004: Robert, a store worker was attacked by rioters in a mattress shop on August 24. Rittenhouse said that he watched this video before going into town with his AR-15 to assist.
Trump, who was watching the Governor from far and shocked that he didn’t ask for help, wrote: “Governor should call in Wisconsin’s National Guard.”
It’s ready, willing and more than capable. Stop the problem fast!
Rittenhouse was captured by the live stream of protests at 10.04 pm on August 25. According to Rittenhouse, he claimed that he was protecting his car shop from other militia members.
25 AUGUST: Trump refuses to help Governor Evers and only 250 National Guard soldiers are sent to Kenosha by the President at that time. That night, Trump tweeted just four hours after Rittenhouse had opened fire.
They were shown handing water to them and thanking them for their service.
Rittenhouse stated that he had an armed response to the threat to his property and was ready to give aid to anybody who might need it.
Two hours and 45 minutes later, the shooting began at 11.45pm.
Rittenhouse was confronted by protesters. The protesters surrounded Rittenhouse as he sat down on the ground, and he fired his weapon killing two and injuring another.
The police didn’t immediately arrest him and were under severe fire.
In interviews with the Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis, as well as Kenosha Sheriff David Beth, they stated that officers lost their way in chaos and thought that they were dealing a active shooter.
Rittenhouse, one of many volunteers seen earlier Tuesday, was cleaning graffiti from the Kenosha County Courthouse near Rittenhouse after yet another night in unrest.
Rittenhouse was captured by the live stream of protests at 10.04pm, August 25. Along with other armed militia, he claimed he was protecting Rittenhouse’s car shop. The police were seen giving them water bottles, thanking them for their service, and telling them that they are appreciated. Rittenhouse stated in another video that he was well-armed and available to provide first aid for anyone who required it.
NIGHT OF AUUGUST 25: Armed vigilantes and protesters were seen on the streets the night before the Rittenhouse shooting. They had been frustrated by the inability of police to control the large crowds the previous nights.
One of the riots saw fireworks thrown at an armored Kenosha County Sheriff’s vehicle. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputies are shown left with one weapon drowned out by another. DailyMail.com was told by a source from the sheriff’s office that they did not receive enough assistance quickly after the riots escalated despite repeated requests.
The scene at Kenosha in Wisconsin is captured on cell phone videos. Rittenhouse is kicked and thrown by one the BLM protesters, while he lies down with his gun.
Rittenhouse gave himself over to police, but they did not arrest him. Later, they claimed that Rittenhouse didn’t know the identity of the shooter.
Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth and Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis were under fire for handling the riots, and not arresting Rittenhouse right away. They stated that their men had been overwhelmed by the crowd and were unsure who shot Rittenhouse, but they did not arrest him immediately. Miskinis retired from police in February 2021. He used his resignation letter against local politicians he claimed didn’t support him. Sheriff Beth is still in the role.
After being under fire from his officers and Sheskey for the actions they took at the Riots, Miskinis resigned in February after defending him.
FORMER TEACHER WHO ACTUALLY BECAME GOVERNOR OF 5.5MILLION PEOPLE
Tony Evers, the governor of New Jersey was a teacher before he became the Democratic leader for the state in 2019.
His tenure as Director of Public Instruction was from 2009 through 2019, but he had been a teacher in the school system before that.
Evers, now 70, has been married to his sweetheart of childhood, who is also teacher.
His political bio reads: ‘Governor Evers has dedicated his life to fighting for Wisconsin’s kids and serving the people of Wisconsin.
“As an educator for all of his life, Governor Walker believes that people should come together and solve problems in Wisconsin. He also wants to make Wisconsin a better place.
He has three grown children with his wife and nine grandchildren.
Miskinis, in his resignation, slammed police officers who didn’t support him and stated: “Law enforcement can’t tackle violence alone. There must be an effort by the public to end the violence,” in a deliberate jab at elected officials.
The chaos subsided a little on August 26th, but protests continued.
Evers finally accepted help from the White House and FBI agents were sent to the down along with US Marshals. National Guard troops were called from Alabama, Arizona, and Michigan to assist.
Evers was sent a note that same day by the Kenosha County Board. Our businesses are being attacked.
Rittenhouse, who was also arrested that same day, was then charged. Trump visited Kenosha to defend Rittenhouse, claiming that he looked in danger but was actually acting in self-defense. Trump’s remarks incited outrage from Democrats and the liberal media.
Evers may not be ready for the potential turmoil that might result from this verdict, so there are worries.
He put 500 National Guard soldiers on alert before the case reached the jury.
Together with the sworn officials, those troops still leave less than 1,000 boots on the ground for any potential rioters.
He sent out a tweet this week asking for peace in Kenosha, Wisconsin and all of Wisconsin, regardless of what the outcome.
The ‘Kenoshans have been strong, resilient, and worked tirelessly to heal and rebuild the nation over the past year. In Kenosha, Wisconsin, any attempt to create division or hinder healing is not welcome. This case will be decided in the state of Wisconsin. I call for peace in Kenosha.
Respect the Kenosha community’s efforts to unite. He said that he asked all people who want to meet and use their First Amendment rights to do so in safety and peace.
Although the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department has not yet taken any extra measures in advance of the verdict, they continue to monitor the situation.
Governor Scott has ordered 500 National Guard troops to be on standby, and is encouraging calm
‘The sheriff’s department and the police department understand the anxiety surrounding the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. Our departments have worked together and made coordinated efforts over the last year to improve response capabilities to large scale events.
“We also have strengthened our relationships with Federal and State resources.
In a statement made at the beginning of the trial, they stated, “To date, there is no reason to facilitate roads closures, enact curfews and ask our communities modify their daily lives,”