CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Authorities say an Illinois teen, accused of fatally shooting two protestors in Kenosha earlier this year, will not face charges in his home state of Illinois.
Prosecutors announced Tuesday that 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse will not face gun charges in Lake County, Illinois related to the AR-15-style weapon he is charged with using to kill two men and wound a third during violent protests in Kenosha in August following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
Following what authorities call an extensive investigation by Antioch Police into the firearm that Rittenhouse is accused of using, the Lake County State's Attorney's Office said the report found that the Smith & Wesson .223 caliber rifle "was purchased, stored and used in Wisconsin" and turned up no evidence the 17-year-old "physically possessed" the weapon in Illinois.
The Lake County State's Attorney's Office did not reveal who is believed to have bought or held the gun before the shooting.
However, Rittenhouse still faces a gun charge in Wisconsin, as Kenosha County prosecutors have charged him with possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18, a misdemeanor.
Along with the gun charge, Kenosha County prosecutors have charged him with murder and other counts alleging he shot three men, two fatally, with the rifle the during violent protests in Wisconsin following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
Rittenhouse's lawyers have argued he shot the three men in self-defense.
Kyle Rittenhouse remains jailed without bond. An extradition hearing is set for Oct. 30.
