Kyle Rittenhouse—the 18-year-old from Illinois who was released from Kenosha County Jail on a $2 million bond after fatally shooting two people and injuring a third at a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin—was seen socializing at a bar with people believed to be members of the Proud Boys.
Drinking is legal for 18 – 20 year-olds in Wisconsin if they are accompanied by an adult. Rittenhouse was reportedly there with his mother.
A photo obtained by The Washington Post, showed the teen wearing a T-shirt that read, “Free As F’k” and posing for pictures with group members.
A number of photos showed him flashing the “W” sign—an identifying gesture co-opted by extremist groups to indicate “White Power.”
Reporter Tony Atkins posted photos of the teen shared by prosecutors.
PICTURED: #KyleRittenhouse pictured in these photos shared by prosecutors.
Out at a Wisconsin bar (Pudgy’s Pub, with his mother) seen posing with a “Free As F**k” tee shirt on and flashing that “OK” – (or White Power)
State requests court motion to modify conditions of bond. pic.twitter.com/RPhCBvFTV1
— Tony Atkins (@TonyAtkinsTV) January 14, 2021
On January 5, Mount Pleasant police responded to a call from someone who spotted the teen at a local bar, called Pudgy’s Pub, and was concerned the teen was in violation of his bond agreement.
Rittenhouse was released on a $2 million bond in November with the help of one of his lawyers and the Christian crowdfunding site Give Send Go—a platform the Proud Boys have frequently used to raise money towards activities associated with their cause.
Presently, the bond does not prohibit the teen from entering bars and drinking.
The police confirmed with the Kenosha County District Attorney’s office the teen did not violate his bond agreement.
Rittenhouse was with his mother at the tavern. They both stopped by after pleading not guilty to homicide charges in connection to the Kenosha shooting.
People enraged over the photos shared their thoughts.
Modify them by locking him up. He’s killed one person- why can he wander free when black and brown folk get locked up for years for minor offences? Oh that’s right- he’s a white Trump supporter. Silly me. I don’t appreciate the US way of doing stuff.
— Hugothesausagedog (@Hugothesausage1) January 14, 2021
His mother took him to a bar where he could celebrate and have a few beers with white supremacists. Nice parenting.
— Aaron Ernst (@aaronernst) January 14, 2021
His mom is so proud…
— TheSadTruth💙 (@ReportsDaNews) January 14, 2021
Kyle on his way to becoming one of America's most prolific serial killer. His mama must be so proud.
— Leedetail (@Leedetail1) January 14, 2021
His notoriety has probably boosted his confidence enormously too. He probably feels secure and “backed up” by his clan/klan to justify what he did. He’s 17/18 – what chance has that kid got at feeling any remorse?🤦🏻♀️
— Nancy Venables (@nancy_venables) January 14, 2021
This makes me want to puke. What is wrong with this country right now?
— KMlez (@LostInTheEcho40) January 14, 2021
Oh they’re proud he murdered protestors, make no mistake about it
— Lou N (@Lou2Jigga) January 14, 2021
He's being utilized as a recruitment tool for the proud boys.
— Field day (@Fieldday_Psych) January 14, 2021
Revoke his bail!
— doyenne83 (@doyenne83) January 14, 2021
I hope they can show these pictures in his trial to show what his motives really were these Nazis think they are above the law bc they have a president that’s just like them, but these are hate crimes against innocent people and that needs to be known in court
— Jeannine Parisi (@indigentdesign) January 14, 2021
Kenosha County prosecutors asked the court to modify the bond agreement after the photos of Rittenhouse fraternizing with the extremist group surfaced.
The motion read:
“The defendant’s continued association with members of a group that prides itself on violence, and the use of their symbols, raises the significant possibility of future harm.”
According to WTMJ-TV, prosecutors requested the following adjustments be made:
“The defendant shall be prohibited from possessing or consuming alcohol.”
“The defendant shall not be present in any establishment where alcohol is served.”
“The defendant shall be prohibited from making any public display of any ‘white power’ or ‘white supremacy’ signs, symbols, or hand gestures.”
“The defendant shall have no contact with any known militia members or known members of any violent white power/white supremacist groups or organizations, including but not limited to the group identified as the ‘Proud Boys.’”
So they’re requesting a changes to his bond, why is he not is prison.
— OhMyJersh (@OhMyJersh) January 14, 2021
He’s a murderer.
And yet he’s free, drinking beers signaling his WP buddies?
Please explain how this is justice.— Melanie E (@melanie_ember) January 14, 2021
Rittenhouse is accused of killing Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum and seriously injuring Gaige Grosskreutz on August 25 at a BLM protest in Kenosha.
The teen’s lawyer maintained his client shot in self-defense.
