Milwaukee man killed; bodycam released

Body camera footage shows the time before police shot and killed an armed man near the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Tuesday.

Police in Columbus, Ohio, were in a meeting when they noticed an argument between two men. One of the men was waving knives in both hands.

“He has a knife,” an officer can be heard saying in the video.

The group of foreign officers rushed towards the man involved in the altercation and ordered him to drop his weapon.

“Drop the knife, drop it now,” police said as the gunman continued to attack the other man.

Seconds later, officers opened fire and killed the gunman.

The incident had no connection with the nearby conference.

Here’s what you should know:

RNC recordings:Fatal shooting of homeless man raises safety questions about out-of-state police at RNC

When and where did the filming take place?

The shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon, less than a mile from the convention center.

Following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, authorities had increased their security measures.

Who was killed?

The deceased was identified as Samuel Sharpe Jr., a homeless man known by the nickname “Jehovah.” He lived in a tent camp in Milwaukee. Family members described him as a “beautiful person” who was known for walking his dog and carrying a Bible.

Why were Columbus police officers there?

Community members pointed out that the five police officers involved in the shooting were not from the city. They were among thousands of police officers from other cities who were scheduled to come to the city, as had been planned before the rally.

City officials estimated that about 4,000 officers from out-of-town law enforcement agencies would begin work in Milwaukee this week. The officers from the outside agencies would be assigned to non-public-facing duties, such as traffic control.

Columbus police said the five officers involved in the shooting were on their way home.

Authorities in Milwaukee and Columbus respond

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther defended the out-of-town officers who shot Sharpe.

“Someone’s life was in danger,” Norman said. “These officers, who are not from this area, took it upon themselves to act today to save someone’s life.”

Ginther said the body camera footage “demonstrates that Columbus officers acted in accordance with their training to prevent physical harm to a potential victim.”

“Columbus officers were visiting Milwaukee, but they take an oath to protect and serve wherever and whenever they are called to duty,” Ginther continued.

Community members question involvement of police officers from other cities

Milwaukee City Councilman Robert Bauman, who represents the district where the shooting occurred, said the incident might have turned out differently if a local officer had been involved.

They would have known: “No, no, no, this is King Park, a known place where homeless people camp. There are a lot of mentally disabled people here. Proceed with caution and de-escalate,” Bauman said.

Other critics of the Columbus officers’ actions include Shelly Sarasin of Street Angels, a humanitarian organization that provides supplies to homeless people at a nearby encampment, and Aurelia Ceja of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

“Our police officers in Milwaukee know about this camp and the people who are housed there, and they understand the problems that come with homelessness,” Sarasin said. “He should not have been shot … by a police officer who was not from here.”

Contributors: John Diedrich, Ashley Luthern, Jessica Van Egeren, Sophie Carson, Bethany Bruner, Bailey Gallion, Shahid Meighan, David Clarey, Michael Loria, Michael Collins, USA TODAY

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].

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