The parents of a Wisconsin gunman who was shot dead during a protest against police brutality in Kenosha said their son was a hero and expressed frustration with President Donald Trump and others for suggesting he “deserves to die.”
Anthony Huber, 26, was one of two people allegedly shot by a 17-year-old last month during a protest against Jacob Blake’s police shooting.
State prosecutors have charged Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, of Antioch, Illinois, with the murder of Huber and Joseph Rosenb of Money. A third person in the attack, Gayeg P. Grosscreutz was also wounded.
Rittenhouse’s attorney, Pierce Banbridge, said his client was working in self-defense when Smith and Wesson fired an AR-15 style .223 rifle.
“Kyle has done nothing wrong,” he said in a statement last month. “He used his God-given, constitutional, common law and self-defense legal law.”
Huber’s parents, John Huber and Karen Bloom, said in a statement released by their lawyers on Friday that their son had been defamed by some, including the president.
“We are disappointed that the president, members of the media and others have said that someone deserves to die for their efforts to save others from someone who has just killed Tony.”
The president, in a briefing on Aug 31 Gust, said that Rittenhouse was “trying to run away from them, I think so. And it fell, and then they attacked very violently.”
Huber’s parents said there was “no valid reason for Anthony’s murder.”
He was a hero trying to save another when they were shot, they said.
“He sacrificed his life for the safety of innocent civilians that night in protest of Jacob Blake’s shooting,” they said. “Without his incredible bravery, many others could have been killed or wounded.”
Wrighthouse faces first-degree intentional cow slaughter, first-degree reckless cow slaughter, and first-degree intentional homicide attempts.
He is also facing two charges of negligent endangerment, which is also a serious offense, and misrepresentation of possession of a dangerous weapon under the age of 18.
Prosecutors said that just minutes before midnight, Rittenhouse was being pursued by Rosenbum and “engaged”, who allegedly shot Rittenhouse before fleeing. Protesters, including Huber, were then confronted near Rittenhouse, prosecutors said.
The criminal complaint against Rittenhouse gave this account:
“Huber has a skateboard in his right hand. When Huber reaches the defendant it looks like he is reaching for the defendant’s gun with his left hand as the skateboard makes contact with the defendant’s left shoulder. Huber appears to be trying to pull the gun. From the defendant. Defendant leans to his left and Huber appears to be trying to grab the gun. The gun points at Huber’s body. Defendant then fires a round which can be heard on the video. Steps, then ses lee to the ground. Huber later died at gunpoint. “
Benbridge said someone had “whipped” Rittenhouse “over the head” from a skateboard and was facing Rittenhouse opponents who were trying to disarm him when he started firing.
“In fear of his life and anxiously the mob would either shoot at him or use his weapon against him, Kyle had no choice but to strike two, including his armed assailant, firing several rounds at his immediate attackers.” Said.
Prosecutors said Grosscruitz had a gun when he approached Rittenhouse. But, they said, Grosskreutz kept “his hands in the air” until the Retinhouse was allegedly fired.
A medical examiner said the shooting on Huber’s chest pierced his heart, aorta, pulmonary artery and right lung.
The New York Times analyzed a video that night in which police showed Rittenhouse and other armed men in the demonstration being praised and given water. The teenager said in the release about 20 minutes after the alleged shooting.
Huber’s parents said they were shocked to see videos and other information indicating that local police had allowed and encouraged armed vigilantes, including Anthony’s killer, to patrol the streets of Kenosha and threaten civilians with firearms.
“In America, we celebrate heroes like Anthony who make sacrifices for their communities, whether equipped vigilantes who cause death and chaos on the streets.”
Melanie Kusera Contributed.
