A US teen who shot and killed two men during protests in Wisconsin in August 2020 has been found not guilty of murder.

18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse also wounded a third man during the demonstration in Kenosha.

He was cleared of all three charges after claiming self-defence.

The protests had been sparked by the shooting of a black man, Jacob Blake, by a white police officer.

Mr Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time, had travelled from the neighbouring state of Illinois to the demonstration.

He claimed in court that he had been asked to help protect the community by a local business owner.

'Wannabe soldier'

The prosecution had argued that Mr Rittenhouse was a "wannabe soldier" and a vigilante who had travelled to Kenosha bent on stirring trouble at the protest.

They said he was walking about like "a hero in a western" and that he was "looking for trouble".

Drone footage showing him pointing his weapon at people on the street was put forward as evidence of provocation - which the prosecution said meant he had started the incident and couldn't have been acting in self-defence.

The defence said the 17-year-old had travelled to the city to act as a medic and to protect property. They claimed he was acting in self-defence and feared for his life during the protest.

National guard

The Wisconsin National Guard is on standby near the city amid fears of unrest over the verdict.

Earlier today, Wisconsin governor Tony Evers called for calm whatever the court decided.

“Kenoshans are strong, resilient, and have worked hard to heal and rebuild together over the past year,” he said

“Any efforts to sow division and hinder that healing are unwelcome in Kenosha and Wisconsin.

“Regardless of the outcome in this case, I urge peace in Kenosha and across our state.”

Kenoshans are strong, resilient, and have worked hard to heal and rebuild together over the past year. Any efforts to sow division and hinder that healing are unwelcome in Kenosha and Wisconsin. Regardless of the outcome in this case, I urge peace in Kenosha and across our state.

— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) November 16, 2021

“Please respect the Kenosha community and their efforts to come together. I ask all those who choose to assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights in every community to do so safely and peacefully.”