Anthony Huber: Who was Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse's 26-year-old victim?
KENOSHA, WISCONSIN: Anthony Huber was identified as one of the protesters who was shot dead while demonstrating against the recent police shooting of Jacob Blake that left him the Black man paralyzed. The gunman, identified as Kyle Rittenhouse, also killed one other protester and injured another after opening fire at demonstrators who threatened to burn down a local business he was reportedly protecting, The Sun reported.
Huber's well-wishers on Twitter described him as a 'talented skateboarder' albeit his critics claimed he had had a significant rap sheet.
This is #AnthonyHuber, one of the victims from last night’s shootings. His loved one tells us he was a super talented skater and shared this video with us. They’re honoring his memory by asking everyone to please come to Basik skate park to pay respects. #SkateForHuber #Kenosha pic.twitter.com/a5WGWGQJhL
— Pari Cruz (@paricruz) August 26, 2020
A GoFundMe campaign dedicated to helping Huber's partner Hannah Gittings has already raised more than three times its $25,000 goal. The funds will reportedly be used to cover funeral costs and other expenses. "On Tuesday 8/26 Anthony decided to use his voice and stand up for a cause that meant something. While peacefully protesting, Anthony selflessly tried to aid in taking down an attacker when he was gunned down," the page description reads.
"Anthony leaves behind a significant other and a stepdaughter who need our help. They are in need of money very fast. She can’t retrieve her house or car keys from his body or see him until they find a funeral home and pay for it. Please help if you can. Anthony was a hero."
Huber was part of a group of demonstrators in Kenosha who became embroiled in a scuffle with the White teenager who later opened fire at them.
Photos shared on social media show the suspect, Rittenhouse, patrolling an area while carrying an AR-15 rifle. According to The Hill, the gunman is facing a charge of first-degree intentional homicide in Kenosha for reportedly shooting and killing two people while injuring another.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT - A 17-year-old identified as Kyle Rittenhouse was arrested and charged with homicide, after two people were shot and killed and a third was seriously wounded during protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake https://t.co/Hqi2nZuTMt pic.twitter.com/6Up5EByIvj
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 27, 2020
Rittenhouse is likely to be extradited to Wisconsin where he will be facing a trial. The Grayslake Police Department shared that he was a member of its Public Safety Cadet Program which is a youth program that "offers boys and girls the opportunity to explore a career in law enforcement." A GoFundMe page raising legal defense funds for Rittenhouse was taken down by the site within minutes of going live.
On the day of the protests, videos featuring witnesses yelling "He shot him!" went viral as protesters were seen bending down to assist the victim, who was lying on the ground between two parked vehicles. They proceeded to apply pressure on the gunshot wound on the side of his head with a piece of clothing.
Kenosha has been engulfed in protests which have rocked the city after a White police officer shot Jacob Blake at least seven times at close range after he failed to comply with their orders and tried to enter a vehicle. As per a CNN report, he was unarmed and the incident unfolded right in front of his children. According to family attorney Ben Crump, police fired from close range as Blake tried to enter an SUV in which his children, aged 3, 5, and 8 were present. The incident came to light after a shocking video of the shooting went viral on the Internet.