MILWAUKEE — On Tuesday afternoon, a man wielding knives was fatally shot by officers from the Columbus, Ohio, Police Department who were in Milwaukee to provide security for the Republican National Convention (RNC). The shooting took place near King Park, a residential neighborhood situated approximately one mile from the convention venue. Authorities have confirmed that this incident was unrelated to the convention itself.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office responded to a report of the death at an intersection on the park's periphery. The identity of the deceased has not been released, and an autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday. The incident occurred in a neighborhood known for its significant homeless population.

According to Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey B. Norman, 13 Columbus bicycle officers were stationed in the area on Tuesday, engaged in a review of the day's security plans. Shortly after 1 p.m., a confrontation erupted between two individuals—one armed with knives and the other unarmed—near the officers. Chief Norman reported that the officers intervened when the armed individual allegedly refused to comply with commands to drop the knives and instead advanced toward the unarmed man. Several officers discharged their weapons in response to this threat.

The Chief noted that the exact number of officers who fired their weapons is not yet clear, but confirmed that all officers involved were from Columbus. Two knives were recovered from the scene. Body camera footage released by Milwaukee police shows the officers discussing convention-related matters when they noticed the confrontation. The footage captures an officer exclaiming, "He’s got a knife," as they move to the scene.

The video further illustrates the moments leading up to the shooting, with officers issuing commands to "drop the knife." The armed man appears to move toward the other individual, prompting the officers to open fire. Chief Norman stated that the shooting appeared not only justified but potentially life-saving. “This is a situation where somebody’s life was in immediate danger,” he affirmed.

The deceased has been described only as a 43-year-old man. An external police department is conducting an investigation into the use of deadly force by the Columbus officers, and the body camera footage will be released in accordance with Milwaukee police policy.

The incident occurred within the outer perimeter of the RNC's operational zone assigned to the Columbus officers. Both the Columbus Division of Police and the Columbus Fraternal Order of Police confirmed their awareness of the shooting. Columbus police reported that no officers were injured in the incident.

The shooting has sparked significant reaction from local activists. Critics argue that the incident, which occurred in King Park—a location named in honor of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.—reflects broader issues related to the RNC and the presence of external law enforcement. Alan Chavoya, a member of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, expressed outrage, questioning, "How is that possible?" The Coalition to March on the RNC, a group opposed to the deployment of outside police, labeled the incident as "murder," asserting that such events were anticipated and unfortunately realized.

Domino Williams, outreach officer for the Democratic Socialists of America Milwaukee chapter, expressed disillusionment with assurances given regarding the behavior of out-of-town officers. “We were assured out-of-towners were here for the security of participants of the event,” he said. “It’s really disheartening.”

Witnesses Christina Kugler and Mark Walker reported that the victim was a homeless individual attempting to evade police when he was shot. They observed that multiple officers fired their weapons. Security video reviewed by NBC News shows the man collapsing in the street as officers approach, though the events leading up to the confrontation are not captured on camera.

During a vigil held for the victim, community members created a makeshift memorial with candles and cones marking the location where he fell. Alice Taylor, a local resident who lived in a tent adjacent to the victim’s, expressed deep sorrow and frustration. “The way it happened was senseless,” she said. “We’re homeless. This is our park. Why were they even here?”

The shooting took place amid heightened security surrounding the RNC, which is being held across several venues, including Fiserv Forum and the Wisconsin Center District. This event follows an attempted assassination at a political rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, where former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, claimed he was shot in the ear.