Man in Ski Mask with Firearm, Full Magazine Arrested Near RNC

Police patrol outside Fiserv Forum as the Republican National Convention (RNC) begins in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 15, 2024. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Police Department confirmed to The Epoch Times they arrested a man who was carrying a firearm with a full magazine in a tactical bag not far from the Republican National Convention (RNC) on July 15.

According to the department, the 21-year-old suspect was clad in a ski mask.

The incident comes just days after a shooter targeted former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.

U.S. Capitol Police noticed the suspect on N. 11th Street, near the massive perimeter of the convention, at 1 p.m.

“United States Capitol Police performed a subject stop,” a statement shared with The Epoch Times from the department’s Office of Public Relations read. It added that the suspect has no concealed carry weapon permit in Wisconsin “or any other state.”

“Charges are pending review by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office,” the statement concluded.

Armed Man Shot Dead

On the following day, a 43-year-old man armed with knives was fatally shot by five law enforcement officers from Columbus, Ohio, outside the RNC security area. Police fired on the man when he allegedly charged another individual during an argument.

“Columbus Police Officers along with multiple officers from multiple jurisdictions nationwide are at the RNC to support Milwaukee police with security for the event,” a Fraternal Order of Police organization in Ohio wrote in a statement on the incident.

Police monitor a crime scene where a man was fatally shot by visiting police officers in the King Park neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 16, 2024. (Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images)

In addition, a female pro-Palestinian protester with the activist organization CODEPINK, Nour Jaghama, alleged that a Republican House member deliberately shoved into her in an incident that culminated in Ms. Jaghama’s arrest.

That lawmaker, Rep Derrick Van Order (R-Wisc.), had a different take on the incident.

“While standing in line to enter an event at the RNC today, I was assaulted by what appeared to be a member of the pro-Hamas group CODEPINK. A nearby police officer witnessed this assault and I understand they have been arrested,” he wrote on X.

CODEPINK issued a statement about the incident.

“It is a microcosm of the misogyny at the RNC that the more gentle non-violent woman, the only Palestinian in line with our group is assaulted and then even when she did not respond she was the one who was arrested,” the statement said.

The RNC is being held from July 15 to 18.