A 17-year-old police admirer was arrested Wednesday after two people were fatally shot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during violent clashes between protesters, armed counterprotesters and police. Kyle Rittenhouse, of Antioch, Illinois, was taken into custody on suspicion of first-degree intentional homicide, the Associated Press reported.
Gunfire was reported shortly before midnight and Sheriff David Beth said one victim was shot in the head, and the other in the face. A third victim was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he would send more federal law enforcement personnel and the National Guard to quell the protests. Soon after, Wisconsin's Democratic governor, Tony Evers, doubled the number of National Guard members available to support Kenosha law enforcement. The governor authorized 500 Guard troops to help protect critical infrastructure and maintain the peace. Kenosha County declared a State of Emergency curfew for 7 p.m.
Evers took action as the Republican Party prepares to hold the third night of Trump's renomination convention, which has focused heavily on maintaining law and order amid protests over police brutality.
Kenosha has seen heavy protests since a Black man, Jacob Blake, was shot multiple times at close range by police. Hundreds of protesters ignored a curfew order and kept demonstrating late into the night. Tear gas was deployed as crowds refused to disperse, and amid reports of objects being thrown at police officers.
NBA teams are boycotting the league's playoff games to protest the shooting of Blake, putting the league's season in doubt for the second time this year. The Milwaukee Bucks were the first to sit out, refusing to take the court for game five of their playoff series against the Orlando Magic.
