The sister of Samuel Sharpe Jr., the Black man shot and killed by Columbus, Ohio, police during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, says her brother’s life was in danger before his death.
Angelique Sharpe told reporters that her brother’s life was threatened by the man he pulled a knife on and that police didn’t realize he was trying to defend himself.
“This guy had threatened to kill my brother, his dog, and burn up his tent,” said Angelique Sharpe. She also mentioned that her brother had advanced multiple sclerosis, which affected his balance and hearing. “They didn’t even know he was trying to defend himself.”
Reports indicate that two unhoused men were involved in an altercation in King Park, about one mile from Fiserv Forum, the main RNC venue. The park is located outside the convention’s security perimeter. During the fight, one of the men, identified as Samuel Sharpe Jr., pulled out a knife and was shot dead by numerous officers from the capital city of Ohio.
The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) held a press conference a few hours after the tragic incident. They informed reporters that 13 uniformed Columbus officers were assigned to bicycle patrol during the convention. According to MPD Chief Jeffrey Norman, the officers saw Sharpe Jr. with a knife in each hand, fighting another person. Officers said they identified themselves and told Sharpe to drop the knives, but he allegedly refused, leading to five officers shooting and killing him. Two knives were reportedly found on the scene.
Angelique blamed the officers’ unfamiliarity with the city residents as one of the main causes of her brother’s death.
“These people have no attachment, so it’s easier for them to have no regard for lives,” she said. “You didn’t know these people; you don’t know our community.”
When discussing why non-local officers were patrolling the city, Chief Norman said they “had been here for a couple of days and understood that something happened right in front of them while they were talking to each other and this event unfolded in front of them.”
Norman added, “In fact, this is a situation where somebody’s life was in immediate danger. Again, two knives were recovered from this particular situation, someone’s life was in danger, and these officers who are not from this area took it upon themselves to act to save someone’s life today.”
Last week, the Columbus police chief released the body camera video.
In the interest of transparency, I am releasing body-worn camera footage of the shooting. I have been in contact with the Milwaukee Police Department to advise them of my decision to release this footage, Columbus Police Chief Elaine R. Bryant told WISN.
Angelique Sharpe remembered Samuel as “a true mama’s boy,” stating he was on the streets to help others.
“He felt like it was his duty to make sure that all the shelterless people knew that Jehovah had not forgotten about them and let them know about God’s promises,” she said.
Meanwhile, the family says police haven’t contacted them and are still waiting for answers surrounding Samuel Sharpe’s death.
“They (police) have not contacted us,” Angelique Sharpe said. “The only time they came over was to show us a picture of a ventilator on his face.”
Milwaukee leaders are demanding justice after an unhoused Black man was shot and killed Monday by out-of-state police officers who were in the city helping with the Republican National Convention (RNC).
Family, friends, and activists attended a vigil for Samuel Sharpe Jr., who was shot and killed by five Ohio police officers who were in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention (RNC) on July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Source: Spencer Platt / Getty.
Dora Drake, the state representative for the 11th assembly district and the Chairwoman of the Legislative Black Caucus in Wisconsin, exclusively spoke with NewsOne about the shooting.
Drake discussed the impact of police brutality on the community she cares for dearly.
“It is extremely frustrating, and that’s an understatement, because we know in our communities that we have dealt with police brutality, you know, and this is nothing new,” Drake explained. “It’s not an isolated incident. It is something that happens across our whole country and something that we have still not addressed.”
She also questioned why out-of-state cops were assigned to local areas outside of the RNC perimeter and called on Congress to pass the George Floyd Act.
“As more details come out, I definitely send my condolences to the family. But there needs to be a real conversation about why there was law enforcement that wasn’t even part of the state of Milwaukee, what the details were about patrolling, the importance of having people from our community by law enforcement, and on a national scale addressing and signing into law the George Floyd Act,” Drake continued. “There is a bill enacted, but it still hasn’t been passed by Congress.”
She added: “Everyone deserves to feel protected, regardless of where you live. And this is something that, as we watch for more details, there is justice not just for their family, but also understanding what steps look like moving forward to have a more safe community.”