A man was shot and killed by police on Tuesday near Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, where the Republican National Convention is being held, Fox News confirmed.
The Columbus Police Department confirmed the shooting and confirmed it happened “on the perimeter of the Republican National Convention,” but said it did not appear to be related to the convention.
The shooting happened just after 1 p.m. near 13th Avenue and West Vliet Street, about two miles from Fiserv Forum.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said at a press conference that 13 uniformed Columbus police officers from Ohio have been assigned to bike patrols in the area.
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Police are investigating a shooting that occurred near King Park on the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Tuesday, July 16, 2024. The shooting occurred outside the Republican National Convention’s security perimeter. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Norman said officers observed an individual with a knife in each hand arguing with another individual.
Officers repeatedly commanded the suspect to drop the knife, but he refused and lunged at the knife-wielding attacker.
Norman said officers then fired their weapons, shooting the suspect.
A witness told Fox News the man lived in a nearby homeless camp and matched the officer’s description, saying the man was brandishing a knife when he was shot.
Police said two knives were recovered from the scene.
“This is what happened. Someone’s life was in immediate danger. Two knives were recovered from this situation. Someone’s life was in danger. Officers who are not from this area took it upon themselves to save someone’s life,” Norman said.
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Several upset residents, including some who identified themselves as friends and family, argued with police and demanded answers about the shooting.
Some of the RNC protesters were outraged to learn that the dead man had been shot by an outside police officer, and they denounced the RNC for bringing outside police into their city.
“It is notable that the Columbus, Ohio Police Department attended our protests and marketed themselves as peacekeepers, when it is clear that killing people or carrying weapons is not part of peacekeeping. It is also notable that the Milwaukee Police Department said they would keep outside agencies out of the Milwaukee community but failed to do so,” the March on the Republican National Convention rally said in a statement.
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Columbus, Ohio, police officers shot and killed a man Tuesday afternoon near 14th and Vliet Streets in Milwaukee, about two miles from the Fiserv Forum, the main venue for the Republican National Convention. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Norman confirmed that no officers were shot or injured during the altercation.
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And the theme of Tuesday’s Republican National Convention is “Make America Safe Again,” with former President Donald Trump calling for action to tackle crime in Milwaukee.
Fox News’ Patrick McGovern contributed to this report.
