Internet aghast as knife-wielding homeless man who 'heard voices' fatally shot by cops outside RNC

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: A tragic incident unfolded just five blocks from the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, where a knife-wielding homeless man was shot and killed by police, as per The New York Post.

The incident, which took place on July 16, marked the second fatality at a GOP event in recent days and has sparked significant reactions online. According to eyewitnesses, the homeless man, identified as Samuel Sharp, 43, was swinging two steak knives at police officers before he was shot, Fox6 News Milwaukee reports. 

Homeless man shot dead near RNC convention in Milwaukee

Edward Watkins, a fellow homeless man who claimed to be Sam's best friend, described the victim's unsettling behavior in the moments leading up to the shooting. "He had this look in his eyes that was nothing I’ve ever seen before in four months of knowing him," Watkins said.

The chaos erupted when Sam was reportedly "shot in the back" while attempting to flee from security. Witnesses recounted hearing at least eight gunshots, with some suggesting that up to eight officers were involved in the shooting.

"Multiple officers" from Columbus, Ohio, who were brought in for additional security at the GOP event, fired their weapons, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Fraternal Order of Police.

Bodycam footage of the incident revealed a tense situation where 13 Columbus officers, initially discussing "pro-abortion and anti-abortion" issues, noticed the commotion. "He has a knife! Yes, he does!" one officer shouted as the group moved towards Sam and another man standing shirtless in the street.

Despite repeated commands to "drop your knife," Sam allegedly rushed towards the second man, prompting the officers to open fire, resulting in his death. Milwaukee officials identified the victim as a 43-year-old local resident.

The incident drew attention to the broader issues faced by the homeless community in Milwaukee. Watkins revealed that Sam had been struggling with mental health issues, specifically hearing voices.

"He just told me he was having these thoughts in his head. And he said, 'Jehovah’s coming down.' And I believed him, because I hear voices, too," Watkins shared. He added that Sam had expressed a desire to die and seemed to be in a state of distress during the confrontation with the police.

Watkins also disclosed that both he and Sam lived in a nearby "tent city" and were known to use crack cocaine together. Despite the tragic outcome, he emphasized their sense of freedom within their community.

"That’s what we love to do. When we’re in Tent City, we feel we’re free," he said. Milwaukee officials have not yet confirmed Sam's full identity, but the county medical examiner did confirm that an adult male was shot and killed during the incident.

Milwaukee shooting incident quickly becomes hot topic

The shooting quickly became a hot topic on social media, with users weighing in on the incident. One X user said, "Keep your head on a swivel! There is crazy everywhere!!!" While another remarked, "This likely has nothing to do with the RNC, but ok."

A third user wrote, "This is regular crime in Milwaukee bubs." Another user posted, "Everybody wanna be the punisher now... smfh..."

One user commented, "End result of D's and their constant hateful rhetoric." A sixth user mentioned, "There’s gonna be so many happenings these next four months."

Another user stated, "Oh you should see the crime that happens daily in Milwaukee." Lastly, a user said, "It was two homeless man fighting, not related to RNC other than the rapid police response."

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