Aug. 23, 2020 — A police officer responding to a domestic disturbance reports that Jacob Blake, a Black male, was being leaned into his car by an officer. Blake was partially paralysed after the shooting was caught on video by a witness. Neighbors marche to the Kenosha County Public Safety Building where they are confronted by officers wearing riot gear.

Aug. 24, 2009 — Police use tear gas against hundreds of protesters who threw bottles, fired fireworks and defied the curfew at the courthouse. Crowds set fire to more than 30 buildings. Gov. Tony Evers calls the National Guard. Blake was filmed by a cellphone camera. The man who took the video says that he saw Blake fighting with officers, shouting “Drop it!” but he did not see any knife in Blake’s hand.

August 25, 2008 — Blake’s lawyer claims that Blake is paralyzed to the waist. Blake’s family asks for calm. Blake’s family calls for calm. Two people, Joseph Rosenbaum (36), and Anthony Huber (26), are killed and another, Gaige Grosskreutz (26), is injured.

Aug. 26 — Authorities are looking for a vigilante who was captured on cell phone video opening fire with a gun. Police in Illinois have announced the arrest of Kyle Rittenhouse (17 years old), of Antioch. Antioch is approximately 15 miles (24 km) from Kenosha.

August 27, 2009 — Rittenhouse was charged with multiple charges, including attempted murder and homicide.

August 31, 2017 — President Donald Trump was asked at a news conference if he condemned Rittenhouses actions the day before he visited Kenosha. He said, “You saw the exact same tape as me.” He was trying to escape from them, it seems like. He fell and was then violently attacked by the attackers. It was an incident that we are investigating right now. He was obviously in serious trouble. He would have been — I would say he would have been murdered.”

September 1, 2017 — Trump visits Kenosha, and blames “domestic terrorist” for the violence. He doesn’t mention Blake’s police shooting and labels the violent protests as “anti-American.”

September 3, 2018 — Joe Biden (Democrat running to defeat Trump) visits Kenosha. He visits Blake’s family, talks with Blake via phone, and leads a discussion in the community.

September 24, 2014 — Rittenhouse’s lawyers claim that Rittenhouse acted in self defense, but also claimed that he was a brave defender of liberty and a patriot who exercised the right to bear arms during rioting. They claim Rittenhouse is being sacrificed to protect their communities by politicians.

September 25, 2005 — Rittenhouse’s lawyers ask for more time to challenge his extradition to Wisconsin at an Illinois hearing. Later, they stated in documents that Rittenhouse would be “turned over to the mob” if he was sent to Wisconsin.

Oct. 30, Rittenhouse is extradited

Nov. 2, 2012 — Rittenhouse is released on bail by a Wisconsin court for $2 million. Conservative groups have raised funds for Rittenhouse, who has enough money to bail out.

Nov. 20, Rittenhouse posts bail, and is released. One of Rittenhouse’s attorneys tweeted a photo of Rittenhouse and actor Ricky Schroder hours later. The attorney claimed that Rittenhouse had donated the picture to him.

Jan. 5, 2021 — The Wisconsin prosecutor declines the charge against Kenosha Officer Rusten Shkey, who is white. He ruled that Blake was carrying a knife and that the officer was making a reasonable claim of self-defense. Following the shooting, there are subdued protests.

February 3, 2003 — After Rittenhouse failed inform the court about a change in his address, authorities request a new warrant for Rittenhouse’s arrest. Rittenhouse’s lawyer claims that death threats forced his client to an “undisclosed Safe House.” Judge Bruce Schroeder later denied the request.

Nov. 1, Rittenhouse’s trial begins the jury selection process.