On August 25, 2020, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse shot three men, killing two, in self-defense during a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Now, the estate of Joseph Rosenbaum is suing Rittenhouse, Kenosha officials, local Sheriff’s departments, the City of Kenosha, the City of West Allis, and several counties for “compensatory and punitive damages” for the “wrongful death” of Rosenbaum.
During the Kenosha incident, Rosenbaum confronted and chased Rittenhouse, eventually throwing a sack of items at him. According to witness testimony, Rosenbaum reached for Rittenhouse’s gun. Rittenhouse then fired four times, killing Rosenbaum. Ultimately, Rosenbaum’s death set off a chain of events that led to another death and injury as Rittenhouse protected himself from a mob of protestors.
During Rittenhouse’s trial, Rosenbaum’s fiancee testified to his extensive mental health issues. It was also uncovered that Rosenbaum spent most of his adult life in prison for sexual contact with five preteen boys.
Rittenhouse was acquitted of all criminal charges in 2021 and has since moved to Texas.
“These lawsuits are making it harder and harder for me to move on with my life,” Rittenhouse told Texas Scorecard. “It is extremely difficult to go outside without fear of being harassed or assaulted because of the lies spread in these lawsuits. No one should have to continue to defend the fact that they acted in self defense.”
