Police shoot man 'armed with knives' dead near Republican National Convention

Republican National Convention

Police shoot dead man 'armed with knives' near Republican National Convention

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Holly Bishop

By Holly Bishop


Published: 16/07/2024

- 20:21

Updated: 16/07/2024

- 21:15

The suspect was shot by officers about a mile away from the convention in Milwaukee

A man “armed with knives” near the venue hosting the Republican National Convention (RNC) has been shot dead by police.

Columbus Police Officers shot the suspect, reported to be a black man in his 20s, about a mile away from Fiserv Forum - the site of the RNC.


Officers are reported to have performed CPR on the suspect, who later died.

The Secret Service and Homeland Security are assisting in investigating the incident, which took place at a residential intersection between North 14th and West Vliet Streets.

Republican National ConventionPolice shoot dead man 'armed with knives' near Republican National ConventionGetty

A woman who has claimed to be the man's sister, has called him "bipolar schizophrenic" and confirmed that he lived on the street.

She said that "they shot him when he pulled out his knife".

There are no reports to link the shooting to the RNC event.

Numerous Columbus officers, as well as other forces from different cities across the US, are currently in Milwaukee to assist with security at the conference.

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Hundreds of thousands of Republicans have gathered in Milwaukee for the national convention, where former President Donald Trump was formally nominated on Monday.

Two days prior, an assassination attempt was made against Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania.

The 45th President was just 10 minutes into his speech in Butler on Saturday when the event was interrupted by gunshots at around 6.13pm. The attack left one audience member dead and two critically injured.

Twenty-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks was shot dead at the scene by the Secret Service following the incident.

Donald TrumpDonald Trump mouths 'fight' to crowd after being shot in the ear GETTY IMAGES/TRUMP CAMPAIGN OFFICE/HANDOUT

Stepping out his first public appearance since Saturday’s shooting, Trump, his stricken ear covered with a bandage, was met with a chant of “fight, fight, fight” from his supporters.

He appeared with his newly-appointed Vice-Presidential pick, JD Vance at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee.

Though Trump - now officially confirmed as the Republican candidate - waved to crowds at the RNC, he appeared to fight back tears as he stepped out with his bandaged ear.

He was given a standing ovation as country star Lee Greenwood sang "God Bless the USA" - while Trump's son, Donald Jr, also appeared emotional as he entered the room.

Meanwhile, Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley told the convention that Americans should show "the same strength and resilience as President Trump" in the aftermath of his close call.

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