KENOSHA — The Kenosha Police Department said Friday that while it respects the constitutional right of citizens to bear arms, "more guns on our streets during these times of civil unrest adds to the potential for violence."
According to a news release, the department called the shooting of the three protesters, two fatally, Tuesday night "tragic."
The department is still not officially naming the protester who was shot and injured, allegedly by 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse was charged with first degree intentional homicide on Thursday.
The department also identifies the two people shot and killed, who were first officially identified in a criminal complaint Thursday. Those victims are 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum, of Kenosha, and 26-year-old Anthony Huber, of Silver Lake in Kenosha County.
Rittenhouse's extradition hearing has been postponed for 30 days, after being set to appear in a Waukegan court on Friday. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
Armed civilians were seen guarding several businesses during protests Tuesday night, and groups on social media called people from across Wisconsin to arm themselves and to help guard businesses in downtown Kenosha.
Dozens of buildings, cars and other property were severely damaged or destroyed during unrest in Kenosha, following the police shooting of Jacob Blake last Sunday. Blake remains in the hospital with severe injuries.
