Kyle Rittenhouse was spotted in a Florida restaurant over the weekend after being acquitted last week of charges related to the deaths of two men and the injury of another during a protest against police brutality,
According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the 18-year-old was seen with others at Smokin’ Jerry’s Tiki Hut Bar & Grill in Placida, Florida, which is near Fort Myers.
According to the publication, Florida GOP Chairman Joe Gruters was in the region for an appearance on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
Christina Pushaw, a spokesman for Gov. Ron DeSantis, was one among several on social media who posted the photo of Rittenhouse at the restaurant and wished him to be welcome to Florida.
Rittenhouse claimed he’s “not a racist guy” and supports the Black Lives Matter movement ahead of his Fox News interview, which will broadcast Monday night.
Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time of the Aug. 25, 2020 demonstration in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was found not guilty on counts of homicide, attempted homicide, and reckless endangerment.
He joined others who stated they were armed with an AR-style semiautomatic rifle to safeguard private property from potential harm from BLM protesters.
“There is no connection between race and this instance. It has nothing to do with race at all. It was about exercising one’s right to self-defense “According to The Associated Press, Rittenhouse stated.
