CPD responds to community concerns ahead of DNC, following deadly shooting of man near the RNC

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Police Department has now responded to concerns from local community activists, after a police shooting in Milwaukee left a 43 year old man dead near the RNC.

Organizations within the Coalition to March on the DNC, had expressed concerns about the police presence in Chicago next month after five police officers from Columbus, Ohio began immediately shouting and charging at a homeless man near the outer perimeter of the RNC in Milwaukee.

The homeless man was said to have been brandishing knives and made a movement towards another unarmed man. That’s when the five officers opened fire.

The officers from Columbus were operating under the security plan for the RNC.

Law enforcement officials called it a “soft zone,” but Milwaukee locals said the out of town officers should not have been there , and made no attempt to de-escalate the situation, as would be expected from any responding Milwaukee police.

Chicago Police responded to fears of a similar scenario playing out in August during the DNC. In a statement, CPD repeated that their mutual aid agreement with police departments in state and the Milwaukee Police Department will not put outside officers into patrol situations in neighborhoods, and that the extra officers will only be assisting in securing infrastructure around the convention areas.

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, has also confirmed with us that no Milwaukee officers were present during the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Samuel Sharpe, Jr.

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