As the Kyle Rittenhouse trial continues, the only protester shot by Rittenhouse to survive testified on Monday. Gaige Grosskreutz, a volunteer medic and protestor who was the third and final man shot by Rittenhouse in the summer of 2020, recalled the events that led up to the shooting during Rittenhouse’s murder trial, the Associated Press reported.

Defense attorneys attempted to use Grosskreutz’s testimony to justify their claim that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense because Grosskreutz admitted that he pointed his own gun at Rittenhouse prior to being shot. Rittenhouse stands on trial for killing two men and wounding Grosskreutz.

“I thought the defendant was an active shooter,” 27-year-old Grosskreutz said. When asked what was going through his mind during the incident he said, “That I was going to die.” Grosskreutz was shot in the arm, which resulted in tearing away much of his bicep. Witnesses described it as being “vaporized.”

While the prosecution depicted Rittenhouse as the coldhearted racist killer he is, defense lawyers have been arguing the case of self-defense. Defense attorney Corey Chirafisi attempted to make it seem like Rittenhouse was in danger and acted upon that during the cross-examination. According to Reuters, he asked: “When you were standing 3 to 5 feet from him with your arms up in the air, he never fired, right?”

“Correct,” Grosskreutz responded.

“It wasn’t until you pointed your gun at him, advanced on him, with your gun, now your hands down pointed at him, that he fired, right?” Chirafisi continued.

“Correct,” Grosskreutz said. A photo depicting Grosskreutz pointing a gun at Rittenhouse was also shown.

According to Wisconsin’s self-defense law, deadly force is permissible only if “necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.” Defense attorneys are banking on this law.

However, Grosskreutz did not shoot first, although he “closed in” on Rittenhouse.

“That’s not the kind of person that I am. That’s not why I was out there,” Grozzkreutz said when asked why he didn’t shoot at Rittenhouse. “It’s not who I am. And definitely not somebody I would want to become.” He added that he did not mean to point his gun in the direction of Rittenhouse.

Grosskreutz attended the protest to serve as a medic. He wore a hat that said “paramedic” and carried medical supplies, in addition to a loaded pistol.

“I believe in the Second Amendment. I’m for people’s right to carry and bear arms,” he said, explaining why he was armed. “And that night was no different than any other day. It’s keys, phone, wallet, gun.”

According to Grosskreutz’s testimony, he didn’t act until after seeing Rittenhouse kill a man just feet away. While he was holding his pistol his hands were in the air. Video evidence and a criminal complaint filed days after the shootings last year confirm this.

“At that moment I felt that I had to do something to try and prevent myself from being killed or shot,” Grosskreutz said.

Chirafisi not only attempted to portray Grosskreutz as threatening to Rittenhouse but brought up his lawsuit against the city of Kenosha.

“If Mr. Rittenhouse is convicted, your chance of getting 10 million bucks is better, right?” Chirafisi said.

Grosskreutz’s testimony is pivotal as the trial enters its second week. Multiple witnesses provided testimony that seemed to support the teen’s claim of self-defense last week, Reuters reported. If convicted, Rittenhouse faces life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty and is looking to take the stand under self-defense.