One of the individuals shot during a 2020 Kenosha, Wisconsin, riot by private citizen Kyle Rittenhouse is planning a civil lawsuit against the then-teenager.
The lawsuit follows the end of the criminal case against the Illinois young adult. Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges related to the shooting that left two individuals dead and Gaige Grosskreutz seriously injured.
Tape from the scene showed that Rittenhouse was assaulted prior to opening fire.
The civil case is looking for serious compensation for the injuries sustained by Grosskreutz.
Grosskreutz claims in the lawsuit that multiple police agencies “did not treat Defendant Rittenhouse or any of the other armed individuals” as a “threat to the safety of themselves or the citizens they were sworn to protect.”
The lawsuit claims that law enforcement effectively deputized the armed citizens and “conspired with them.” The lawsuit was filed on Feb. 14. Grosskreutz’s suit also seeks compensation for damages surrounding “emotional distress, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and other pain and suffering on all claims.”
Rittenhouse cited the not-guilty verdict in his response to the new lawsuit. Rittenhouse described the situation as difficult, but added that he was prepared to “prove my innocence again.” Rittenhouse cited the potential price tag, even with a potential victory.
He added in a tweet this week that the suit “is an attempt to drown anyone who legally and justifiably defends” their lives through “a mountain of legal debt.”
This lawsuit is an attempt to drown anyone who legally and justifiably defends there lives from attackers in a mountain of legal debt. We can not let them win. If they can come after me they will come after you. https://t.co/CJxXlGnUMO
— Kyle Rittenhouse (@ThisIsKyleR) February 21, 2023
Rittenhouse added that “it came as a shock to why he’s filing a lawsuit,” adding that he was especially surprised since Grosskreutz “admitted that he pointed a gun in my face and that he chased me down.”
The outcome of the lawsuit is still not clear. Rittenhouse planned a number of lawsuits against media companies for their characterization of him in the aftermath of the shooting. He was also planning legal action against companies that he claims smeared his reputation.
