Columbus, Milwaukee leaders give perspective on fatal CPD shooting
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus and Milwaukee city leaders are voicing their reactions after Columbus police officers shot and killed a man Tuesday near the Republican National Convention site in Milwaukee.
The officers had traveled there to provide extra security. Milwaukee city leaders praised the Columbus Division of Police on Wednesday for how quickly they released the police body camera footage of the incident.
Milwaukee Police also sent out a new release saying the Columbus Police officers - who were working bike patrol - were in their assigned area along the soft perimeter at the time of the shooting. They said those involved in the incident will not continue working the event.
After the incident, MPD said they will assign more of their officers to work the outer edge to help with the community’s needs.
Milwaukee’s Mayor Cavalier Johnson spoke out in a news conference Wednesday. He said he is saddened by the death and that no one wanted this outcome.
“The deceased individual had family, had friends and my thoughts certainly are with them. My thoughts are also with the police officers from Columbus, Ohio," Johnson said.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant released body camera footage just a few hours after five Columbus officers were involved in the deadly shooting in Milwaukee.
The body camera video shows officers notice a man holding two knives threatening another person. The officers run toward the suspect, and command him to drop the weapon several times. Police say the man did not listen to the officers commands. That’s when five officers fire the deadly shots.
“The information we have leaves a clear impression that these Columbus officers, they saved the life of an unarmed man from death or perhaps serious injury,” Johnson said.
NBC4 spoke over the phone Wednesday with Robert Bauman, the Alderman for District four in Milwaukee where this shooting happened.
“It was brilliant of your police chief to release the body camera video so quickly,” Bauman said.,
He said what he saw of the body camera footage supports the police chief’s statement that the officers' actions were justified. Bauman said this area is known to have a large homeless population, but he doesn’t blame officers who are unfamiliar with the area.
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein put out a statement Wednesday also praising Chief Bryant for releasing the body camera footage so quickly.
"The video shows a tragic and unfortunate loss of life, but it also shows how officers' quick actions saved another human being’s life," Klein said in the statement. "My office will provide whatever assistance and guidance necessary as the investigation moves forward.”
Johnson said he still expects a thorough investigation. NBC4 has multiple public records requests out to Columbus Police and Milwaukee Police, and are still waiting on a response.