Man Shot During Kenosha Protests Speaks Out For First Time

KENOSHA, WI — A West Allis man who was shot and wounded during the third night of Jacob Blake-related protests in Kenosha spoke publicly for the first time this week.

Gaige Grosskreutz was one of three people shot on the night of Aug. 25 in Kenosha and is the only one who survived the shooting.

“I was shot point blank with a .223 round from the shooter,” Grosskreutz said in a CNN report. “And I am now missing 90 percent of my bicep. This has not been easy emotionally, physically. I’m in constant pain, like excruciating pain that just doesn’t go away — both in my arm, in my heart.”

Illinois teenager Kyle Rittenhouse has been charged with fatally shooting two people and wounding another that night in Kenosha, authorities said. Rittenhouse, 17, was arrested the day after the shooting in Illinois and charged with five felonies and a misdemeanor.

Rittenhouse is accused of fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, of Kenosha and Anthony Huber, 26, of Silver Lake. He is also accused of shooting and wounding Grosskreutz.

Authorities say the fatal shootings happened just before midnight south of downtown Kenosha during what was the third night of protests in response to the police shooting of Blake.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Grosskreutz to help with his medical expenses. It has raised nearly $60,000.

The organizer of the fundraiser, Patti Breitigam-Wenzel, said the West Allis resident is going to keep his arm. Her update said there are more surgeries in his future. She described Gaige as being "like a son."

"He survived but was severely shot in the arm and is facing multiple surgeries to save it. He has a bright future ahead of him but no insurance and very little money available. His medical bills will be huge and everything raised will be handled directly by him for the coming medical bills. Please help me help him and his family," according to the GoFundMe page.

Grosskreutz volunteered as a medic at Black Lives Matter protests across Milwaukee, according to WTMJ-TV. Attorney Kimberley Motley, who is representing Grosskreutz, released the following statement:

"We are resolved to move forward to ensure that ALL parties who were involved in the Kenosha killings and the circumstances that led to them are held accountable.

We believe that what occurred was by no means the result of the actions of only one teenaged individual.

As we move towards finding justice in this complex environment we will do our best to be as transparent as possible and provide updates where appropriate. At this lime. Gaige is continuing to undergo medical treatment and process the events. We ask that you respect the privacy of his family and friends," the statement said.

Motley is also representing the families of victims related to the case of Wauwatosa officer Joseph Mensah case.

Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.

Karen Pilarski, Patch Staff, contributed to this report.