ADDS ARREST OF SUSPECT IN CONNECTION WITH SHOOTINGS, DETAILS THROUGHOUT
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he is sending federal forces to Kenosha, Wisconsin after three people were shot overnight, including two fatally.
Trump said the decision was made following a telephone call with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, who he said accepted his offer to send federal law enforcement officers and more National Guard to the flashpoint city.
"We will NOT stand for looting, arson, violence, and lawlessness on American streets," Trump said on Twitter. "TODAY, I will be sending federal law enforcement and the National Guard to Kenosha, WI to restore LAW and ORDER!"
Despite making the announcement of additional federal forces, Trump has yet to weigh in on Jacob Blake, a Black man whose shooting by police has led to him being partially paralyzed and ignited unrest.
The city of Kenosha has been the site of widespread civil unrest after police shot an apparently unarmed Blake, setting off demonstrations against racial injustice and police brutality that have repeatedly devolved into violence and led to mass property damage.
Police in neighboring Antioch, Illinois announced they have taken suspect Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, into custody. The Antioch resident has been charged with first degree intentional homicide and is being held pending an extradition hearing that would send him to Wisconsin to face trial.
“Our Village of Antioch is deeply saddened by all loss of life. Our hearts and prayers extend to the friends and family who lost a loved one,” Antioch Mayor Lawrence Hanson said in a statement.
Antioch is roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Kenosha, which has seen three nights of sustained demonstrations over Blake's shooting.
Rittenhouse's arrest comes after an individual who may have shot one or all the victims appeared on cellphone footage that has widely circulated on social media.
In it, three gun shots are heard as a young white male with a long barrel rifle runs away from the scene while saying on his cellphone "I just killed somebody." As he flees, an individual takes off his shirt and appears to attempt to use it as a makeshift tourniquet for the wounded.
A person wearing the same blue pants and green shirt is seen in a separate bystander video being chased by protesters before tripping and opening fire on protesters as they futilely attempt to take away his weapon.
He then gets up and walks away as screams of "medic" are heard in the background before he makes his way to police amid shouts of, "Hey, he just shot them." Police, however, do not appear to take him into custody.