One of the Kenosha protesters killed by a gun-toting vigilante was identified Wednesday as a talented skateboarder who died while trying to disarm the gunman.
Anthony Huber, 26, of Silver Lake, Wis., has been identified as one of two people allegedly killed by teen militia member Kyle Rittenhouse during violent protests in Kenosha Tuesday night, a local CBS affiliate reported.
“He is a peaceful person,” Huber’s friend told the station. “He didn’t go out looking to beat people up. He’s more of a defender. And he put his life on the line for others. That’s what he did.”
Huber’s partner, Hannah Gittings, told the outlet Huber was a skilled skater who was performing at a semi-professional level in his late teens. Gittings said a memorial skate ride is being organized at a Kenosha skate park to honor his memory.
Rittenhouse, 17, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide and is awaiting extradition from Illinois, where he was arrested.
The teen was allegedly out in Kenosha Tuesday night with a small but heavily armed militia group when police said he shot three protesters, killing two, according to reports and officials.
Another 36-year-old man from Kenosha was killed in the shooting, while a 26-year-old man from West Allis was wounded as protesters took to the street over the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Sunday.
The identities of those men have not been released.
A GoFundMe launched for Gittings has raised more than $29,000 within just six hours of its launch. The fundraiser describes Huber as a peaceful protester who acted selflessly in the last moments of his life.
“On Tuesday 8/26 Anthony decided to use his voice and stand up for a cause that meant something,” wrote the organizer, Danielle Rasmussen. “While peacefully protesting Anthony selflessly tried to Aid in taking down an attacker when he was gunned down.”
The protesters were chasing Rittenhouse after he allegedly shot a man in the head, according to reports.
The gunman stumbled and was attacked by protesters as he opened fire and struck two more people.