Virginia Police Officer Fired After Reports He Donated To Kyle Rittenhouse

William Kelly, Norfolk, Virginia police officer has been fired after a report found that he donated to Kyle Rittenhouse, a young man accused of killing two people during a protest last summer.

“I have reviewed the results of the internal investigation involving Lt. William Kelly,” a statement from the Norfolk City Manager Chip Filer read. “Chief Larry Boone and I have concluded Lt. Kelly’s actions are in violation of City and departmental policies. His egregious comments erode the trust between the Norfolk Police Department and those they swore to serve. The City of Norfolk has a standard of behavior for all employees and we will hold staff accountable.”

Kelly, who was first put on administrative duty after his April 16 donation, has the right to appeal his firing, according to Norfolk law.

“We do not want perceptions of any individual officer to undermine the relations between the Norfolk Police Department and the community,” Boone said. “I ask the community to continue to support the officers of the Norfolk Police Department as in the past knowing that right now, at this moment, they are continuing to serve and protect them.”

Rittenhouse, 18, pleaded not guilty after he was accused of shooting and killing two men during a protest over the police shooting of black man, Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin last August. He was released on a $2 million bail in November after his attorney posted the bail through donations to get him released. Rittenhouse’s arraignment was on January 5.