In reading multiple posts about the Kenosha decision concerning the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse on all charges, I would like to express my thoughts that were generated by my good friend, Jen Young.
Kyle Rittenhouse may have been found not guilty on all counts, but he is guilty of being stupid and mentally malleable.
He injected himself into a very combustible scenario with a high velocity semi-automatic rifle that was designed in such a manner to make the owner/carrier feel more like a wannabe warrior. He wasn’t and still isn’t old enough to purchase a long gun (rifle) or pistol. His MOTHER had to buy it for him and then DROVE him to a different state to be placed in an ignitable and dangerous situation.
As stated in other news articles, Rittenhouse had no experience with the firearm, had no firearm safety training, no military training, no law enforcement training, and no riot control training. Yet he felt confident enough in his own abilities to participate in a live-action scenario that he had only seen on his XBox or PlayStation.
As a retired Federally licensed concealed carry officer, my training would have me disengage as I had no authority to insert myself into that situation. This is a localized LEO situation and only they had the authorization for any engagement. If the LEOs hung back and let the protests escalate, that was the LEO’s decision.
Rittenhouse’s claim of self-defense should have been weighed against his actions. He put himself into a confrontational position as opposed to drawing back to de-escalate. If he has drawn back as much as he could, then he could take a more aggressive posture. Rittenhouse was the threat.
Rittenhouse was not confronted by anyone with a drawn side firearm or with a rifle in a ready position. There was no threat of deadly force against Rittenhouse or anyone along with him. Rittenhouse carried him rifle in a ready position. Rittenhouse was the threat.
Rittenhouse said that he fired his weapon when an unarmed person lunged at him. With training, Rittenhouse would have been able to control his response and used a non-lethal response to an unarmed person (Victim #1). Rittenhouse was the threat.
Rittenhouse then fired upon a person who tried to disarm Rittenhouse by hitting Rittenhouse with a skateboard. Again, with proper training, Rittenhouse would be able to block/negate the skateboard threat (Victim #2) with a non-lethal response. Rittenhouse was the threat.
Rittenhouse continues with the confrontation of his making. An opposing protester, who was acting a medic, had drawn a pistol in response to a known deadly force threat. Rittenhouse fired upon this protester (Victim #3) and wounded him in the arm. Rittenhouse continues his progression until he approaches a LEO containment line with his firearm in a ready position. Rittenhouse was the threat.
Rittenhouse approaches the LEO containment line with his arms raised. He is allowed to pass without questioning or detainment. Rittenhouse continues to be a threat until he unloads and secures the firearm.
Contributing factors:
Media for focusing on the protests without balance (why the protests were happening.)
City administration and LEOs for not explaining their policies concerning a hands-off approach towards protesters. This led to certain parts of society turning towards vigilantism.
LEOs for not applying equal oversight and enforcement between all parties.
Protest organizers for not having their own enforcers to control the extremists, anarchists, outside people from damaging local and private property. Extreme agitators would be turned over to LEO for detention/charging.
Rittenhouse’s mother for purchasing the firearm and then driving Rittenhouse to another state to participate in a questionable and irresponsible activity.
Rittenhouse himself for being a pawn and his ability to use common sense and the ability to use logic to foresee possible outcomes.
Rittenhouse was and continues to be a threat.
