Childhood and Education Journey of Kyle Rittenhouse in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Kyle Rittenhouse. From birth to education, explore key events.

Kyle Rittenhouse is an American man who, at 17, shot three men (two fatally) in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during 2020 protests following the shooting of Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse, armed and among a group claiming to protect businesses, engaged in confrontations, fatally shooting two men attempting to disarm him, and wounding another who aimed a handgun. Charged with homicide, Rittenhouse argued self-defense at trial and was acquitted in November 2021. As of February 2023, he faces two pending civil lawsuits.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

February 2000: Rittenhouse Parents' Marriage

In February 2000, Michael and Wendy Rittenhouse, Kyle Rittenhouse's parents, were married in Lake County, Illinois, three years prior to Kyle's birth.

January 3, 2003: Kyle Rittenhouse's Birth

On January 3, 2003, Kyle Howard Rittenhouse was born. He would later become known for his involvement in a shooting incident in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020.

Others born on this day/year

2014: Rittenhouse Parents' Separation

By 2014, Kyle Rittenhouse's parents, Michael and Wendy Rittenhouse, had separated.

2017: First Semester at Lakes Community High School

Kyle Rittenhouse attended Lakes Community High School for one semester in 2017 before dropping out in 2018.

December 2018: Fundraiser for Humanizing the Badge

In December 2018, Kyle Rittenhouse initiated a fundraiser via Facebook for Humanizing the Badge, a non-profit organization.

2018: High School Dropout

In 2018, Kyle Rittenhouse dropped out of Lakes Community High School after attending for one semester in 2017–2018, transitioning to online school before leaving altogether.

January 2019: Nicholas Sandmann's Lincoln Memorial Confrontation

In January 2019, Nicholas Sandmann, a Covington Catholic High School student, became known for the Lincoln Memorial confrontation, an event to which The Tennessee Star compared Rittenhouse's announcement.

January 30, 2020: Attended Trump Rally

On January 30, 2020, Kyle Rittenhouse attended a Trump rally in Des Moines, Iowa, and was seated in the front row.

August 2020: Kenosha Shooting Incident

In August 2020, amid protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and shot three men, fatally wounding two. He claimed self-defense.

August 2020: Travel to Kenosha

In late August 2020, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse traveled from Antioch, Illinois, to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to help protect local businesses after protests following the shooting of Jacob Blake.

August 25, 2020: Kenosha Shooting

On August 25, 2020, Kyle Rittenhouse, armed with an AR-15 style rifle, shot three men during civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Prior to the unrest, he participated in cleaning graffiti.

2020: Biden Campaign Video

During his 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden used images of Kyle Rittenhouse in a campaign video, which the BBC noted "appeared to link Rittenhouse, without any evidence, to white supremacists."

2020: Social Media Posts Supporting Law Enforcement

In 2020, Kyle Rittenhouse's social media posts revolved around "honoring police, with Blue Lives Matter graphics, photos of officers killed in the line of duty, and the "thin blue line" flag associated with support for law enforcement."

August 2021: Federal Lawsuit Filed

In August 2021, the family of a man fatally shot by Kyle Rittenhouse filed a federal lawsuit in the Eastern District of Wisconsin against the police and county sheriff's departments in Kenosha.

October 2021: Grosskreutz Lawsuit Filed

In October 2021, Gaige Grosskreutz filed a lawsuit in federal court. Kyle Rittenhouse was later added as a named defendant in February 2023.

October 2021: Enrollment at Arizona State University and Protests

In October 2021, Kyle Rittenhouse began taking online classes at Arizona State University as a non-degree seeking student. ASU students held a rally called "Killer off campus" to protest Rittenhouse's enrollment. By the following month, he had withdrawn.

November 2021: Rittenhouse Acquittal

In November 2021, Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted on all charges related to the Kenosha shooting incident after pleading self-defense at trial.

November 2021: Criminal Trial in Kenosha

In November 2021, at a criminal trial in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Kyle Rittenhouse's defense argued he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors contended he provoked the other participants and was an active shooter.

November 22, 2021: Picture with Publicist Goes Viral

On November 22, 2021, a picture of Kyle Rittenhouse with his publicist, Jillian Anderson, a former contestant on season 19 of the reality TV show "The Bachelor," went viral on social media.

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December 2021: Appearance at AmericaFest

In December 2021, Kyle Rittenhouse appeared at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest conservative youth conference, participating in a panel called "Kenosha on Camera" on December 20. He spoke about Second Amendment rights.

January 2022: Rittenhouse Named as Defendant

In January 2022, Kyle Rittenhouse was added as a named defendant in the federal lawsuit initially filed in August 2021 by the family of one of the men he fatally shot.

February 2022: Launch of the Media Accountability Project

In February 2022, Kyle Rittenhouse announced the launch of the Media Accountability Project (TMAP) during an interview on Tucker Carlson Tonight.

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March 2022: Shared Gas Price Meme

In March 2022, Kyle Rittenhouse shared a meme on Twitter using a manipulated image of himself crying during his trial to mock rising gas prices, attributing it to Joe Biden's presidency.

June 2022: Announcement of Attending Texas A&M University

In June 2022, Kyle Rittenhouse stated he would be attending Texas A&M University, but a university spokesperson denied he had been accepted. Rittenhouse later posted he would be attending Blinn College, which a spokesperson confirmed he had applied to, but had not enrolled.

October 16, 2022: Launch of YouTube Channel

On October 16, 2022, Kyle Rittenhouse launched a YouTube channel focused on guns and the Second Amendment. His first video featured him firing a handgun and an automatic rifle and included YouTube gun advocate Brandon Herrera as a guest. The video was later deleted, and the channel became dormant.

November 2022: Rittenhouse Meets with Second Amendment Caucus

In November 2022, Kyle Rittenhouse met with Republican House of Representative members of the Second Amendment Caucus in Washington D.C. to discuss his experiences and answer questions. Caucus members present included Reps. Lauren Boebert, Thomas Massie, Andrew Clyde, and Byron Donalds.

2022: Turning Point Young Women's Leadership Summit Appearance

In 2022, Kyle Rittenhouse appeared onstage at a Turning Point Young Women's Leadership Summit, where he was presented as someone who would protect his family and stand strong against opposition.

2022: False Lawsuit Rumor

In 2022, a satirical story circulated on social media claiming Kyle Rittenhouse had filed and settled a lawsuit against Whoopi Goldberg and The View. The story was false.

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2022: Move to Texas

In 2022, after being acquitted of the Kenosha shootings, Kyle Rittenhouse moved to Texas.

January 2023: Brewery Cancels Anti-Censorship Rally

In January 2023, a Texas brewery cancelled an anti-censorship rally featuring Kyle Rittenhouse, citing concerns from local patrons and a conflict with its values. Rittenhouse responded by accusing the brewery of censoring him.

February 2023: Civil Lawsuits Pending

As of February 2023, two civil lawsuits against Kyle Rittenhouse were pending related to the August 2020 Kenosha shooting incident.

February 2023: Grosskreutz Adds Rittenhouse to Lawsuit

In February 2023, Gaige Grosskreutz, who survived the Kenosha shooting, added Kyle Rittenhouse as a defendant to a lawsuit initially filed in October 2021.

April 2023: Rittenhouse Countersues Grosskreutz

In April 2023, Kyle Rittenhouse countersued Gaige Grosskreutz, who had previously included Rittenhouse in a lawsuit against him.

August 2023: Formation of the Rittenhouse Foundation

In August 2023, Kyle Rittenhouse formed the Rittenhouse Foundation, a Texas-based non-profit organization aimed at protecting legal rights. The organization's filing includes wording from the Second Amendment. Chris McNutt, president of Texas Gun Rights, is a director of the foundation.

March 2024: Protests at University of Memphis

In March 2024, Kyle Rittenhouse left a University of Memphis stage after facing protests and politically themed questions. The speaking event was sponsored by Turning Point USA.

June 2024: Named Outreach Director for Texas Gun Rights

In June 2024, Kyle Rittenhouse was named the outreach director for Texas Gun Rights, a state affiliate of the National Association for Gun Rights.

October 2024: Bands Pull Out of Charity Music Festival

In October 2024, after it was announced Kyle Rittenhouse would appear at a charity music festival in Orlando, several bands, including Evergreen Terrace, pulled out of the event, with Evergreen Terrace calling him a "murderer". The organizers of the Shell Shock II festival supported Rittenhouse's participation.

February 2025: Rittenhouse Speaks at University of Memphis

In late February 2025, Kyle Rittenhouse returned to the University of Memphis and spoke to about 40 people without interruptions, answering questions afterwards while protestors gathered outside. The speaking event was sponsored by Turning Point USA.