On Tuesday, a police officer from another state shot and killed a man just blocks from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The man was shot and killed by a Columbus, Ohio, police officer during the rally, and thousands of police have been deployed to the area this week to step up security. The Associated Press reported.
Neighbors were outraged and questioned why police from another state were in the area, which is about a mile from the convention site, according to the Associated Press.
Columbus Police Department stated in the post Social media platform X reported that the incident occurred “on the perimeter of the Republican National Committee, within the operational area where our staff are located.”
The department said it doesn’t believe the incident is related to the tournament, but that the Milwaukee team is investigating.
The Milwaukee Police Department Thirteen uniformed Columbus officers were assigned to bike patrol within the designated area when they observed “an individual with a knife in each hand engaged in an altercation with another unarmed individual.”
“Officers identified themselves as police officers and repeatedly ordered the suspect to drop the knife,” police said. “The suspect refused commands and lunged at the knife-wielding individual. At this point, several officers simultaneously fired their firearms, striking the suspect.”
Milwaukee police identified the man as 43. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.
TMJ4 in Milwaukee The victim was a homeless man, according to Milwaukee Street Angels, a group that supports the homeless community.
Others in the area told The Associated Press that the man was well known among local residents and those living near tent cities in the area.
He was trying to cross the road when witnesses said they heard six or seven gunshots coming from one or more officers, TMJ4 reported.
The Associated Press reported that the shooting happened near King Park, where protesters had gathered the previous day. The demonstration was followed by Columbus police officers wearing vests that read “Columbus Police Dialogue.”
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley said Sunday he was “very pleased” with the security situation at the party’s convention following the nearly assassination attempt on former President Trump at a rally over the weekend.
Whatley noted the commission is working with various law enforcement agencies in preparation for an influx of people.
