Shots fired blocks from GOP convention as attendees leave

CLEVELAND (Originally published by Talk Media News Conventions Staff 2016 ) – The Republican National Convention was marked by a heavy police presence, but gun violence arrived at its doorstep just hours after the four-day gathering concluded.

At about 1:08 a.m., a black male in a camouflage shirt fired four shots toward a target at the Adams Shell gas station at the intersection of Carnegie Avenue and East 30th Street, only blocks away from a parking lot used by media outlets attending the convention.

The shooting occurred less than a mile away from the convention’s security perimeter, where more than 5,500 members of law enforcement from across the U.S. kept careful watch on events throughout the week.

Talk Media News reporters Justin Duckham and Luke Vargas were just feet away from the shooter, who passed by their idling car, stood immediately in front of the vehicle and fired four quick shots in the opposite direction.

Vargas was performing a live radio call-in to recap the convention at the time of the shooting and placed his vehicle into reverse in order to speed away from the scene.

The incident was a jarring end to an otherwise peaceful convention, despite widespread security concerns.

In accordance with Ohio state law, open and concealed-carry firearms were permitted throughout Cleveland during the Republican convention, including inside the 1.7 square mile “Event Zone” where protesters and convention attendees were forbidden from possession a range of other items deemed to be a security risk.

Photo courtesy of http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/node/8484