On July 16, officers from Columbus, Ohio, who were in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention (RNC), fatally shot Samuel Sharpe near King Park in Milwaukee. Sharpe, armed with two knives, confronted another man. The officers, on duty for RNC security, responded after witnessing the altercation unfold. Body cam footage shows officers casually talking among themselves and then seeing Sharpe and shouted, “he has a knife,” as Sharpe was lodging towards the victim. Officers immediately shouted multiple times, drop the knife, Sharpe refused, and officers shot, potentially saving a life.  

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman detailed the events in a press conference. Five Columbus officers intervened after Sharpe ignored commands to drop the knives and charged at the unarmed individual. “These officers, who were not from this area, took it upon themselves to act and save someone’s life today,” Norman stated. Body camera footage confirmed that the officers repeatedly ordered Sharpe to drop the knives before firing. Two knives were recovered at the scene.

Milwaukee Mayor Chevy Johnson supported the officers’ actions, emphasizing that they were not actively seeking confrontation. “The officers were not ‘seeking to engage’ anybody and simply saw the ‘situation that was unfolding,’” Johnson said. He stressed that the officers’ intervention likely saved the life of the unarmed man involved in the altercation with Sharpe. Johnson expressed condolences for Sharpe’s family and acknowledged the emotional impact on the officers involved.

The shooting has raised concerns among residents about the presence of out-of-state police officers in their neighborhood. Some community members, including Sharpe’s cousin, Linda Sharpe, questioned the necessity of their involvement, suggesting that Milwaukee police, familiar with local issues, might have handled the situation differently.

Despite these concerns, Chief Norman defended the officers’ actions, reiterating that they acted in defense of an innocent life. Norman also stated that 13 officers from Columbus, who were on a bicycle patrol, were in their designated area conducting a meeting when they observed the altercation.