The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse took another turn on Monday when a Wisconsin judge dismissed a weapons charge against the teen who fatally shot two people and wounded a third during a protest in Kenosha last year, NBC News reports. 

Judge Bruce Schroeder, who made the ruling shortly before closing arguments were set to begin, dismissed one count of illegal possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.

Citing the state law, Schroeder said 17-year-old teens can carry rifles as long as they are not short-barreled rifles. Rittenhouse, who was 17 years old when the fatal shooting happened, was not carrying a short-barreled rifle, the court concluded, according to WISN. The misdemeanor charge, which was considered to be one of the stronger counts against the teen, is punishable by up to nine months in jail. 

Rittenhouse still faces multiple charges. The 18-year-old is accused of first-degree intentional homicide in the killing of 26-year-old Anthony Huber. He is also charged with first-degree reckless homicide in the death of 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum, NPR reports.

In addition, he is charged with first-degree attempted intentional homicide in the shooting of Gaige Grosskreutz, who was volunteering his service at the protest as a paramedic from suburban Milwaukee.

As Blavity previously reported, Rittenhouse said he was defending himself when he fatally shot Huber and Rosenbaum and injured Grosskreutz. 

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has activated National Guard troops as Kenosha prepares for the possible unrest that could unfold when the trial soon comes to an end.