Last Updated on October 13, 2020
Prosecutors in Lake County, Illinois have announced that they will not be filing weapons charges against 17-year-old volunteer lifeguard Kyle Rittenhouse, who is currently charged with first degree murder by prosecutors in Kenosha. The news comes as a victory for Rittenhouse’s defense team, which is currently fighting attempts to extradite the teen to Wisconsin.
The rifle used by Rittenhouse during the shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin was confirmed by investigators to have been bought, stored, and used in Wisconsin.
According to the Lake And McHenry Counter Scanner, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office revealed that an intensive investigation by the Antioch Police Department found no evidence whatsoever that Rittenhouse acted in violation of Illinois weapons laws:
The investigation revealed the gun used in the Kenosha shooting was purchased, stored and used in Wisconsin.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the investigation and determined no crimes were committed in Lake County.
Prosecutors said there is no evidence the gun was ever physically possessed by Rittenhouse in Illinois.
Rittenhouse still faces charges in Winconsin.
On September 22, the Rittenhouse defense team released a mini-documentary that serves as an-depth, multi-faceted record of the shooting and case for the exoneration of Rittenhouse.
The account that posted the video to video hosting website Wistia was later banned.
On August 31, Rittenhouse attorney John Pierce appeared on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” television program to explain the defense’s case against the charges filed by Kenosha County prosecutors:
Pierce revealed that Rittenhouse, 17, traveled to Kenosha after receiving a phone call from a business owner who had lost two out of three properties to arson and looting and was fearful that his last business would be next.
The lawyer also stated that first protester to be shot, convicted sex offender Joseph Rosenbaum, attacked Rittenhouse from behind and tried to take his weapon, forcing the teen to act in self defense. The New York Times report that found Rittenhouse did not fire the first shot was also cited.”
Tucker Carlson talks to Kyle Rittenhouse lawyer John Pierce on the state of Kyle’s case.
John: “This is 100% self defense Tucker.”
John also debunks claim that the rifle Kyle possessed “crossed state lines.”
John: “That is a legal firearm in the state of Wisconsin.” pic.twitter.com/c1M5CE3enx
— The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 (@ColumbiaBugle) September 1, 2020
“In this warzone, in this chaos that was occurring in the middle of Wisconsin, the only individuals that Kyle shot were the three individuals that were putting him at risk of serious bodily harm or death. This is a 17-year-old kid, this is amazing,” Pierce said.
Public support for Rittenhouse is still forbidden on most – if not all – Big Tech social media platforms, despite the fact that the case is a trending issue on social media, and a significant amount of video footage that Rittenhouse supporters claim exonerates the teen has been released by mainstream media outlets.