Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old Illinois boy accused of fatally shooting two people during an August 25 protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was released from jail Friday after posting a $2 million cash bond.
A Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson confirmed to WTMJ that Rittenhouse’s attorney posted the bond. The spokesperson also said Rittenhouse is no longer at Kenosha County Jail.
Kenosha police told The Chicago Tribune that a private security detail transported Rittenhouse from jail to an undisclosed location.
Rittenhouse allegedly used an AR-15-style weapon to fatally shoot demonstrators Joesph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, during August’s protest concerning the officer-related shooting of Jacob Blake.
Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey was investigating a domestic incident when he reportedly shot Blake, 29, seven times in the back as Blake opened the driver’s side door to his SUV. The August 23 officer-involved shooting left Blake partially paralyzed, according to reports.
Rittenhouse claimed while at the protest, he was hit in the head and neck with a baseball bat and skateboard. While medics reportedly observed small scratches on his arm, they did not see any bruising or cuts.
Rittenhouse surrendered to police in Antioch, Illinois, a day after the deadly August 25 shooting. In October, a judge ordered Rittenhouse’s extradition to Wisconsin, where he is is charged with intentional homicide, attempted homicide, reckless homicide, recklessly endangering safety, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.
One of Rittenhouse’s attorneys, John M. Pierce, previously said the bail money would come from funds raised through a conservative nonprofit organization run by another of the teen’s lawyers, L. Lin Wood. Wood, an ally to President Donald Trump, recently tried to stop the Georgia Secretary of State from certifying votes in the battleground state.
It is not immediately known where Rittenhouse will live while waiting to stand trial. The Chicago Tribune reported that he previously lived with his mother in Antioch, but she moved to an undisclosed location amid concerns regarding her safety.
Rittenhouse’s next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.
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[Featured image: Kyle Rittenhouse/Antioch Police Department]
