Police officers from Columbus, Ohio, fatally shot an armed man in Milwaukee on Tuesday afternoon. The officers were in town for the Republican National Convention and were in a park just west of downtown where the convention is being held.
The man, known locally as Jehovah and identified as Samuel Sharpe Jr. by his cousin Linda Sharpe, was shot and killed during the incident. A vigil was planned for him on Tuesday evening.
Body cam footage from one of the Columbus officers, released shortly after the shooting, shows Sharpe armed with two knives and advancing toward another man. The footage reveals that Sharpe did not comply with officers’ repeated orders to drop the knives.
Breakdown of the Body Cam Footage:
0:00-0:16: Officers are heard discussing RNC protesters, particularly regarding the abortion issue. They are in a park parking lot about a mile from Fiserv Forum where the RNC is being held. The video is initially blurred, showing at least eight officers standing in a circle with their bicycles visible.
0:17-0:20: An officer exclaims, “He’s got a knife!” followed by confirmation from another officer. Several officers shout “hey.” The officers appear to be about 50 yards away from the confrontation in the street. The blur is removed, and one officer’s gun is visible.
0:21-0:25: Officers run toward the altercation, yelling, “Drop the knife! Police!” The video is unclear, showing two shirtless men in the street, one wearing a hat.
0:26-0:30: As officers close in, the man in the white hat, Sharpe, turns toward the officers, then back to the other man, continuing to advance and lunge at him. Officers continue yelling as they close in.
0:31-0:35: The officers open fire, fatally wounding Sharpe, who collapses in the street. Five officers discharged their weapons. One officer is heard yelling, “Hold fire! Hold fire!” as Sharpe collapses and the other man moves back, unharmed.
0:35-0:45: The video slows down, with on-screen details highlighting key moments as the officers approached.
The incident has sparked immediate attention and concern. Columbus police officers were present for the Republican National Convention, and the shooting has added tension to the already charged atmosphere. Investigations are ongoing, and the community is seeking answers about the circumstances leading to the tragic outcome.
The footage and the incident raise questions about police actions and use of force, especially during high-profile events like the RNC. The vigil for Sharpe underscores the community’s mourning and desire for justice and accountability.