After police officers assisting with security at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee responded to a reported fight roughly one mile from the main RNC venue, ultimately shooting and killing a suspect who drew a knife, additional security incidents more directly impacting the convention were reported that raised concerns about what, exactly, is going on at the margins of the convention's secure perimeter.
On Tuesday evening, Fox News Channel's Bill Melugin reported that authorities tasked with monitoring the secure perimeter around several blocks of the downtown area "stopped a suspicious man wearing a ski mask" a few blocks away from the venue containing the convention stage. The 21-year-old man was arrested and found to be carrying an "AK47 pistol, a full magazine, & a Scream mask in a large backpack." The individual's plans remain unknown as of now, but local authorities told Melugin that the arrestee "did not have a legal CCW permit."
BREAKING: Per federal law enforcement source, yesterday, HSI & Capitol Police surveilling the RNC secure perimeter stopped a suspicious man wearing a ski mask blocks away from Fiserv Forum. I’m told he had a AK47 pistol, a full magazine, & a Scream mask in a large backpack he was… pic.twitter.com/cMwxdvv38d
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 16, 2024
Also on Tuesday, ABC News reported that a "24-year-old woman was arrested near the RNC...after police said she allegedly battered Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden" resulting in "minor injuries" though the congressman "refused medical attention."
New: Multiple Sources confirm that a 24-year-old woman was arrested near the RNC convention after police said she allegedly battered Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Tuesday morning. Van Orden, “sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention on scene,”police told me.
— Beatrice Peterson (@missbeae on all platforms) (@MissBeaE) July 16, 2024
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In a post on X confirming the assault, Rep. Van Orden said the assailant "appeared to be a member of the pro-Hamas group CODEPINK" and an "incident of political violence."
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.
— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) July 16, 2024
This appears to be an incident of political…
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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