MilwaukeeA political assassination in

Police release photos of suspect in Trump super-supporter Bernell Trammell’s murder

Milwaukee police have released images of the man suspected of killing a Trump supporter in broad daylight.

The Milwaukee Police department asked for the public’s help in identifying a man they believe is connected to the slaying of Bernell Trammell, the well-known black man who had been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation as officials are searching for the suspect, a man believed to be in his 30s.

Surveillance images of the man were released Monday, describing the suspect as someone standing 6′ tall, weighing 200 pounds and riding a black bicycle. He was “last seen wearing a white and red baseball cap, a black mask covering the lower portion of his face, a black and red long sleeve shirt with white writing on the front, white or light-colored pants,” according to a police description.

MPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect wanted for a homicide that occurred on the 900 block of East Wright Street on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at about 12:30 P.M. The victim of this incident was identified as 60 year old Milwaukee man, Bernell Trammell. pic.twitter.com/UyPu4t87MW

— Milwaukee Police (@MilwaukeePolice) July 27, 2020

The shooting happened just after noon and police are asking anyone with any information to call Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or Milwaukee Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS.

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Trammell was killed last week outside of his business where he published a political and spiritual publication. The 60-year-old was well-known in the Riverwest community where he often stood outside holding handmade signs, many with pro-Trump messages.

The head of the Wisconsin Republican Party demanded answers for the senseless shooting and whether it was politically motivated.

“It has now been four days since the death of Bernell Trammell and the public still does not have any details surrounding the circumstances of Mr. Trammell’s death,” Andrew Hitt, chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party, said in a statement on Monday.

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“With the general election 99 days away and a primary in two weeks, it is imperative that the community knows if Mr. Trammell’s murder was politically motivated,” he added.

“Wisconsin voters, and especially campaign volunteers, deserve to know if they are safe while exercising their First Amendment rights,” Hitt said. “No matter if Trammell’s senseless murder was politically motivated or not, officials in Milwaukee, Gov. Tony Evers, Attorney General [Josh] Kaul and Mayor Tom Barrett need to do everything they can to ensure the personal safety of their citizens.”

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson had issued his condolences to Trammell’s family and friends last week, tweeting that he hoped there were “answers and justice” soon.

A growing memorial emerged where Trammell was gunned down, with many expressing shock and anger over the peace-loving man’s death.

“I don’t know why he died, but I’m really angry that my friend was sitting out on the sidewalk and enjoying the sunshine and somebody ambushed him,” Pia Lombardi, a friend of Trammell, told WITI-TV.

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“What I would want people to know about him is he dedicated his life to recording people’s individual, artistic expressions,” Lombardi said. “He would publish them for free, and distribute them throughout the community, so that everybody could have a better understanding of each other, and come together.”

“What I learned from him is to stay positive, man,” Felix Ramsey Sr., another friend of the victim, told WITI.

“I called him BT,” Ramsey added. “When you come around him, he always had something positive to say, whether it be religion, politics, or something like that, and it’s not that you had to agree with him. If you just listened to him, you would learn a lot.”