Police Fatally Shoot Man Near Trump, RNC Event; Investigation Underway
![U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a medal ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. December 3, 2020.](https://www.entertaintimes.com/images/full/4363/u-s-president-donald-trump-participates-in-a-medal-ceremony-in-the-oval-office-at-the-white-house-in-washington-u-s-december-3-2020.jpg?w=600)
In a disturbing incident near the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, a Wisconsin man was fatally shot by Ohio police officers providing additional security for the event. The shooting took place just a mile from the Fiserv Forum, the venue for the convention where former President Donald Trump was formally nominated as the GOP presidential candidate for the 2024 election. This incident follows closely on the heels of the shocking attempted assassination of Trump just three days prior.
The Columbus Division of Police, whose officers were involved in the shooting, issued a statement detailing that the event occurred within the operational zone assigned to their officers on the outer perimeter of the RNC. The shooting has prompted an investigation by the Milwaukee Police Department, although both the Columbus Division of Police and the Secret Service have confirmed that the incident was not related to the convention itself, which is set to conclude on Thursday.
Despite the official statements, authorities have not yet disclosed the exact circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. However, an eyewitness named Emmanuel King recounted to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the incident began as a fight between two men, with police intervening to break it up. It was during this altercation that the shots were fired, resulting in the death of one of the men.
The deceased has been identified by relatives as Samuel Sharpe Jr. Friends and family have expressed their grief and outrage over the incident, describing Sharpe as a well-known and respected individual within his community, who lived in a tent encampment and was affectionately nicknamed "Jehovah." One of Sharpe’s friends described him as a "beautiful person" who "didn't deserve" the tragic fate he met.
Linda Sharpe, Samuel Sharpe’s cousin, voiced her anger over the shooting, questioning the presence of out-of-state police in their community. "They came into our community and shot down our family right here at a public park. What are you doing in our city, shooting people down?" she told the Associated Press.
This incident has intensified the already high tensions surrounding the RNC, particularly in the wake of the attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania just days earlier. The 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire during the rally, resulting in the death of one individual and injuries to three others, including Trump. The assailant was subsequently shot and killed by the Secret Service at the scene. The investigation into the assassination attempt is ongoing, with authorities yet to determine the motive behind the attack.
Following the assassination attempt, Trump has continued his public engagements, including his appearance at the Republican National Convention with a bandage over his injured right ear. The added security measures and heightened alertness among law enforcement are palpable as the convention progresses.