Ohio officers shoot, kill man near RNC venue in Milwaukee

2024-07-18 08:45:02

Police officers from Columbus, Ohio, shot and killed a man at about 1:10 p.m. Tuesday near 14th and Vliet streets in Milwaukee, which is about 1 mile from Fiserv Forum, the main RNC venue. Witnesses told WISN 12 News two homeless men were fighting in King Park, and one of them pulled a knife out. The witnesses said the men were startled when so many officers responded. Witnesses say the man with the knife was fired on by numerous officers. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman held a news conference Tuesday evening. (See below) He said 13 Columbus officers assigned to bike patrol saw a man with a knife in each hand engaged in a confrontation with an unarmed person. Norman said the officers identified themselves and told him to drop the knife. The man instead charged at the other individual with the knives. Officers then fired at the man.”Someone’s life was in immediate danger. Officers took it upon themselves to act and save someone’s life today,” Norman said. Norman confirmed five officers fired shots. Two knives were found at the scene, Norman said. There was a large police presence, including the Secret Service, at the scene. Beloit police were helping to secure the park. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed at 2:50 p.m. that it was called to the scene. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday. Protesters showed up at the scene and held a news conference. They said the man’s name was Samuel Sharpe Jr., but that has not been confirmed. Family said he is homeless. A statement from the Columbus Fraternal Order of Police says no officers were injured. The Columbus police chief released the body camera video Tuesday evening. (See below)”In the interest of transparency, I am releasing body-worn camera footage of the shooting. I have been in contact with the Milwaukee Police Department to advise them of my decision to release this footage,” Chief Elaine R. Bryant said. Police from 63 departments in 24 states and Washington, D.C., along with 44 Wisconsin agencies are in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention. WISN 12 News Political Director Matt Smith talked to Mayor Cavalier Johnson at the RNC who said he was just being briefed on the situation. The incident itself does not appear to be related to the RNC and was outside the security zone. “The incident took place in the outer perimeter of the RNC, within the operational zone to which our officers were assigned,” the Columbus Police Department said in a statement. VIDEO: Ohio police union provides update on deadly officer-involved shooting in MilwaukeeTuesday’s theme at the RNC is “Make America Safe Once Again.” The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team is investigating the shooting. The Greenfield Police Department will be the lead law enforcement agency in the investigation.