A homeless black man armed with two knives was shot by Ohio police officers on Tuesday near the Republican Party’s national convention site in Wisconsin.
According to police, the man identified by relatives has been identified as 43-year-old Samuel Sharp, who was holding knives in both hands. The situation deteriorated when Sharp attacked an unarmed man, following which police had to open fire. Two knives were recovered from the scene.
“Someone’s life was in danger,” Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said during a press conference. “These officers, who are not from the area, acted on their own today to save someone’s life.”
The incident took place amid tight security in Milwaukee, where thousands of officers from different jurisdictions were present to ensure security for the Republican National Convention, which began on Monday and will end on Thursday.
However, the shooting has sparked outrage among Milwaukee residents, who have questioned the need for out-of-state officers patrolling their neighborhood, which is located more than a mile from the convention site. Many locals gathered at the scene, expressing their anger and planning an overnight vigil in Sharp’s honor.
“They came into our community and shot our family right here in a public park,” said Samuel’s cousin, Linda Sharp. “What are you doing in our town, shooting people?”
Linda Sharpe said her cousin Samuel is a longtime resident of a tent camp across from King Park where the shooting occurred. The camp is a well-known location in the neighborhood, home to several social service clinics and a shelter. Residents believe Milwaukee police officers familiar with the local homeless population may have been able to de-escalate the situation more effectively.
Norman said a group of 13 Columbus officers who were part of a bicycle patrol were in their assigned area when they observed the altercation involving Sharp. They arrived on the scene and repeatedly ordered Sharp to put down his weapon, but he ignored their commands and advanced toward the unarmed man, prompting the officers to open fire.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy for Wednesday and the shooting is continuing to be further investigated.