A Wisconsin judge has modified the bail conditions of Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old who is accused of fatally shooting two men during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, after he was seen flashing white supremacists hand gestures at a local bar.
Earlier this month, the teen was seen with his mother in a Wisconsin bar. He was also photographed drinking a beer. Although he is underage, state laws allow a minor to legally drink alcohol because he was with his mother. Additionally, the gunman flashed the “OK” sign — which is a known white supremacist symbol for “white power” — while posing for a photo with two men.
According to AP and online court records, the teen “shall not knowingly have conduct with any person or group of persons known to harm, threaten, harass or menace others on the basis of their race, beliefs on the subject of religion, color, national origin, or gender.” The judge also prohibited Rittenhouse from possessing firearms and consuming alcohol.
Prosecutors claim that five men who were present at the bar with Rittenhouse serenaded him with a song that has become the anthem of the Proud Boys — a neo-fascist group.
Back in August, Rittenhouse opened fire and killed two protesters — Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber. He also shot Gaige Grosskreutz, but he survived the attack. The teen is charged with first-degree reckless homicide, first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of reckless endangerment. He claims he acted in self-defense when he shot the three men and many conservative groups rallied behind him and were able to help him make his $2 million bond.
On Jan. 3, Huber and Grosskreutz’s estates issued a notice of claim against the City and County of Kenosha, Kenosha County sheriff, the Kenosha police chief and employees of the Sheriff’s Office and Police Department. They are seeking $10 million each.