Body camera footage released showed officers responding with lethal force to an incident in which a knife-wielding man near the Republican National Convention had a family member crying in self-defense.
(Video: Columbus Police Department)
Just days after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the increased security covering the Republican Party's nominating convention included the use of resources from outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As such, officers from the Ohio Columbus Police Department were seen responding to an altercation near the perimeter of the RNC on Tuesday.
Footage compiled from multiple body cameras showed officers were receiving instructions when they noticed two men arguing in the street where one of them, later identified as 43-year-old Samuel Sharpe, was said to be carrying knives at both hands
“Drop the knives!” the officers shouted as they ran towards the threat.
In the videoSharpe appeared to make a lunging motion at the other man before the officers unloaded their weapons.
As the mortally wounded man fell to the ground, one of the officers was heard shouting, “Cease fire!” before both men and first responders were handcuffed.
“You're OK. Hold on,” one of the officers said in the image released before it was detailed, “We have a man with no pulse and not breathing.”
After the incident, officers were seen saying: “We don't have to talk about anything, understand? Don't communicate anything over the phone. The body cameras are still on until we're told otherwise.”
After the incident that had inspired demonstrations Thursday in Milwaukee, Sharpe's brother he said Fox 6 that he did not believe his brother, who suffered from multiple sclerosis and had chosen to live homeless, was the aggressor.
“I think my brother was defending himself. If anything, he was defending himself. If you've ever seen someone with advanced MS, it's very laborious to walk, anything like that,” she explained. “It's like pitting a child against an adult . A kid who barely knows how to walk. He won't get away with it, too.”
Meanwhile, a statement from the Columbus Police Division detailed hours after the incident: “This afternoon, the Columbus Police Division was made aware of an officer-involved shooting involving CPD officers. The officers involved were in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, assisting the Milwaukee Police Department with security during the Republican National Convention.”
“The incident took place on the outer perimeter of the RNC, within the operational area to which our officers were assigned,” the statement continued, adding: “At this time, it does not appear that this incident was related to the convention. The Milwaukee Area Investigation Team is actively investigating.Any additional questions should be directed to the Milwaukee Police Department at this time.
A statement from the Columbus Division of Police regarding the officer-involved shooting involving CPD officers that occurred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/ZpjpMU9Skx
— Columbus Police Division (@ColumbusPolice) July 16, 2024
While Tuesday's incident was not believed to be related to threats against GOP members, reports indicated that a man identified as Michael W. Wiseman was arrested by the Jupiter Police Department on Friday in Florida and taken into custody after 'threats against Trump, his running mate, Senator JD of Ohio. Vance and their families took to Facebook “about bodily harm.”
The Associated Press stated: “The investigation was conducted in coordination with the US Secret Service and the Palm Beach County State's Attorney's Office, police said.” Wiseman was arrested and is being held in the Palm Beach County Jail.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you're sick of letting radical tech execs, bogus fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals, and the lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news, consider donating to BPR to help us fight back them. Now is the time. The truth has never been more critical!
Success! Thanks for donating. Please share BPR content to help fight lies.
We have zero tolerance for comments that contain violence, racism, profanity, profanity, doxing, or rude behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it, click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for engaging with us in a fruitful conversation.