Police officers in Milwaukee shot and killed an individual approximately five blocks away from the Republican National Convention’s outer security perimeter. The incident involved members of the Columbus, Ohio police department within their assigned operational area. Thousands of officers from various jurisdictions are in Milwaukee to provide added security for the convention that started on Monday and ends on Thursday.
Both the Columbus Police Department and spokespeople for Milwaukee’s mayor and the convention’s joint command center stated that there is no indication that the shooting is connected to the convention itself. The shooting scene quickly drew Milwaukee residents, some expressing anger that an out-of-state police department present for the convention was involved. There were numerous police officers present at the scene.
One local volunteer, Kenneth Johnson from Friends Without Shelter, highlighted that the area near the shooting is known for its homeless population who reside in tents nearby. He questioned the presence of an out-of-state officer in that location, stating that they should not have jurisdiction there.
The Columbus Police Department has attracted attention due to its specialized unit sent to Milwaukee focusing on enhancing police-community relationships. This unit played a visible role in supervising the largely peaceful protests on Monday. The shooting took place near King Park, roughly a mile from the convention center, where a small group of protestors had gathered before marching on Monday. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that an adult male was shot and killed, with an autopsy scheduled for Wednesday. Requests for further details about the shooting directed to the Milwaukee Police Department went unanswered.
