Columbus police officers shot and killed a knife-wielding suspect at 14th and Vliet near the secure zone of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, multiple law enforcement sources say.
The suspect, who was described in an X post by talk show host Dan O'Donnell, is said to be a Black male in his early 20s. He wrote the responding officers performed CPR after firing five shots. The intersection where the police shooting occurred is in a residential neighborhood about a mile from the Fiserv Forum, which is the site of the RNC .
The police officers are reportedly a part of a "dialogue team" erected in order to encourage the various protests with conflicting ideologies to remain peaceful.
READ MORE: Bandaged Donald Trump emerges at RNC days after shooting as he announces J.D. Vance as VP
READ MORE: Inside the RNC as shocked locals fume over chaos after 50,000 Donald Trump supporters swarm Milwaukee
The Secret Service and Homeland Security is said to be assisting in the investigation. A woman who identified herself as the sister of man killed by Ohio law enforcement officials said her brother was homeless and suffered bipolar schizophrenia. She added that officers fatally shot her brother when he "flashed his knife."
One eyewitness, Victor Evans, told the Mirror: “We were sitting out there and there was an altercation between two individuals. The police were sitting up in the parking lot, saw the altercations and came running out. They were saying ‘drop the knife, drop the knife’.
“Within about 20 yards the guy turned around and looked shocked, because he didn’t realise the police were behind him. When he turned back to face who he was arguing with, they shot him. He never brandished a knife towards their way, nothing.
“They just let loose. They shot him like 20 times, and I promise you most of those entry wounds were in the back. This had nothing to do with the convention whatsoever. It was two people who live in a homeless encampment.
“We don’t care about the convention. If the police weren’t here and that altercation took place, they would probably be having fun right now, because we would have broke it up. If it wasn’t for the convention nobody would be down here, no police, and everything would be normal round here.”
Another eyewitness, Edward Watkins, said the victim - who he knew as Sam - had been having “thoughts in his head” before the shooting. He said he was armed with two small steak knives.
“He had this look in his eyes,” he told the Mirror. “So when he ran forwards the guy with the knives, I knew he was ready to go. But to shoot him over 14 times? That’s overkill. He wouldn’t have interacted with the cops. They didn’t have anything to do with it.
“The cops were over there on their bicycles. They just heard the commotion and they shot him from the back. I think about eight of them shot him. It was overkill."
The incident was the first instance of violence near the RNC, though it had nothing to do with politics. Given the current political climate and the wide-array of marches and protests featuring different groups with different beliefs, police have been vigilant in containing demonstrators outside the convention.
Additionally, some demonstrators have even taken steps to protect themselves. On day one of the convention, a protester was pictured wielding a "pistol crossbow," while another was seen carrying a 9mm pistol. "I don’t like violence. But I also don’t wanna die. I’m hoping it’s not going to be needed," they told a videographer.
The armed protesters were awaiting the commencement of a march meant to symbolize dismay with the RNC being held in Milwaukee, a largely Democratic city. Demonstrators standing with different groups made their beliefs apparent: a bright yellow truck with Trump's face on it bore a scathing paragraph accusing him of acting as a false prophet.
Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sports and entertainment stories
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolfs," the bright-yellow sign reads. A black and white picture of Trump is also seen under the words "don't speak for me."
Protests remained peaceful throughout Monday, but Democratic attendees who were marching were confronted by pro-life demonstrators who began shoving their ideological counterparts. There was reportedly a protest against abortion scheduled at the same location later in the day.
The incident comes just two days after the shocking assassination attempt on the ex-president that sent tremors throughout the United States. Dread descended in Butler, Pennsylvania , where the ex-president was rallying his followers. A gunman opened fire, causing chaos, murdering one attendee and injuring another.
Retired fire chief Corey Comperatore was killed by shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks when the 20-year-old opened fire at a Republican rally in Pennsylvania, the FBI confirmed
The former president was hit in the upper part of his ear, resulting in a stream of blood running down his face.
Local Milwaukee, WI
Most Popular
Comments / 0