An armed man wearing a ski mask was arrested by authorities Monday after approaching the security perimeter at the Republican National Convention (RNC), according to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
Milwaukee police arrested the 21-year-old Donnell V. Tinsley for carrying an AK-47 pistol and magazine inside a tactical bag a few blocks away from the Fiserv Forum where GOP lawmakers and supporters have been gathered since Monday, the Milwaukee County DA’s Office filing stated.
Prior to the arrest both Homeland Security Investigators and Capitol Police had been conducting surveillance near the convention’s perimeter before noticing the man approaching. (RELATED: Police Shoot And Kill Armed Suspect Near RNC Convention: REPORT)
The 21-year-old was reportedly arrested around 10:45 a.m. and authorities have stated he did not have a concealed weapon license in Wisconsin or any other state, according to the filing. Charges are reportedly pending review from the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
Since the time of reporting, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office released their filing, identifying Tinsley who could be charged with one count of carrying a concealed weapon that may lead to either a fine up to $10,000 or jail time for up to nine months, or both.
In addition to the weapon and magazine being found in Tinsley’s tactical bag, officers reported he also had a “Scream” movie mask, a flashlight, two sets of black gloves with rubber fingertips, a pair of sunglasses, an Allied Universal Security uniform shirt, two cans of spray paint, and multiple empty designer marijuana bags, according to the DA’s filing.
“The State will request a no weapons/no contact order with the Republican National Convention soft/hard perimeter in the attached map for the remainder of the RNC,” the filing noted.
Law Enforcement Officers from Palm Beach hang out in the Fiserv Forum Plaza ahead of the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) on July 14, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The arrest comes shortly after five Columbus Division of Police (CPD) officers shot and killed local resident Samuel Sharpe Jr. after he had been allegedly fighting with another person a mile from the RNC on Tuesday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Since the incident, U.S. Secret Service confirmed the shooting “was determined to be non-RNC” as they referred questions to Milwaukee and Columbus police, the outlet reported.
President of the Fraternal Order of Police Capitol City Lodge No. 9, Brian Steel, additionally stated no officers had been harmed during the incident, and only Columbus authorities were involved in the incident.
Both incident’s near the RNC come on the heels of the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump which resulted in the death of 50-year-old former volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore and injuring two other crowd members identified as 57-year-old David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include further details from the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
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