Columbus, Ohio, police officers fatally shot a man Tuesday afternoon near 14th and Vliet streets in Milwaukee, about a mile from the Fiserv Forum, the main RNC venue. Witnesses told WISN 12 News that two homeless men were fighting in King Park and that one of them pulled out a knife. Witnesses said the men were startled by the large number of officers. Witnesses said the man with the knife was shot by multiple officers. Police have not confirmed that. A large police presence, including the Secret Service, is on the scene. Beloit police are helping to secure the park. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed at 2:50 p.m. that it had been called to the scene. A statement from the Columbus Fraternal Order of Police said no officers were injured. Police from 63 departments in 24 states and Washington, D.C., along with 44 agencies from Wisconsin, are in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention. WISN 12 News Political Director Matt Smith spoke with Mayor Cavalier Johnson at the RNC, who said he was just being made aware of the situation. The incident itself does not appear to be related to the RNC and occurred outside the security perimeter. “The incident occurred on the outer perimeter of the RNC, within the operational zone that our officers were assigned to,” the Columbus Police Department said in a statement. Tuesday’s theme at the RNC is “Make America Safe Once Again.” According to WISN 12 News sources, the police line has been extended to 17th and Vliet streets. The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team is investigating the shooting.
Columbus, Ohio, police officers shot and killed a man Tuesday afternoon near 14th and Vliet streets in Milwaukee, about a mile from the Fiserv Forum, the main venue of the RNC.
Witnesses told WISN 12 News that two homeless men were fighting in King Park, and one of them pulled out a knife. The witnesses said the men were startled when so many officers showed up. Witnesses say the man with the knife was shot by multiple officers. Police have not confirmed this.
There is a large police presence, including the Secret Service, on site. The Beloit Police Department helps secure the park.
The Milwaukee County Coroner’s Office confirmed at 2:50 p.m. that it had been called to the scene.
According to a statement from the Columbus Fraternal Order of Police, no officers were injured.
Police officers from 63 departments in 24 states and Washington, D.C., and 44 agencies from Wisconsin are in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention.
WISN 12 News Political Director Matt Smith spoke with Mayor Cavalier Johnson at the RNC, who said he had just been briefed on the situation.
The incident itself does not appear to be related to the RNC and occurred outside the security zone.
“The incident occurred on the outer perimeter of the RNC, within the operational zone to which our officers were assigned,” Columbus police said in a statement.
Tuesday’s theme at the RNC is “Make America Safe Again.”
According to sources at WISN 12 News, the police perimeter has been expanded to include 17th and Vliet streets.
The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team is investigating the shooting.