Madison police fatally shoot Corey Ruiz, sparking protests; officer injured by knife, Taser failed

The shooting

On Wednesday afternoon, Madison police responded to a call about a person checking parked vehicles in the Marquette neighborhood. The suspect, later identified as Corey Ruiz, a Black man in his 30s, fled on a bicycle. Officers caught up with him about 30 minutes later at the busy intersection of South Baldwin and Williamson Streets. During a physical struggle, Ruiz produced a fixed-blade knife and injured one officer. Police deployed a Taser, but it was ineffective. The injured officer, described as a veteran, then fired his weapon, killing Ruiz. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. A second officer was also injured, though police said that injury did not appear to be from the knife.

Video and public outcry

Bystander cellphone footage circulated widely, showing four officers wrestling Ruiz to the ground before one fired at point-blank range. The video captured three gunshots and officers handcuffing Ruiz's limp body. The footage showed all four officers appearing white, while Ruiz was a person of color, fueling racial tensions. Urban Triage, a Black advocacy group, condemned the killing.

Another Black man is dead on a Madison street, and our community watched him die before we even knew his name.

State Representative Fran Hong, a Democratic candidate for governor, called the shooting "an execution." Hundreds of protesters marched from the scene to the State Capitol, chanting "Arrest the cops!" They later took over a downtown summer concert stage, prompting organizers to cancel the performance.

Official response

Madison Police Chief John Patterson urged the public not to jump to conclusions based on the viral video, saying it showed only "one perspective" and that other footage existed. He confirmed the officer was injured by a knife and that a Taser had been used unsuccessfully. All four officers were placed on administrative leave. The Wisconsin Department of Justice's criminal division took over the investigation as a potential homicide.

I ask the community recognize that there is other video that they have not seen, that's not circulating online that will be reviewed as a part of this investigation.

Victim identified, investigation tensions

On Thursday, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway identified the victim as Corey Ruiz. She said, "It does not matter who you are or what your past is, you should not lose your life as a result of an encounter with law enforcement." City Council President Sabrina Madison questioned the use of lethal force, saying she saw nothing that warranted shooting Ruiz three times in the head.

If the protocol to go that quickly to shoot this gentleman in the head three times, and that is an option, I don't know how that is an option.

The independent police monitor, Aeiramique Glass, accused the department of obstructing her investigation. She said police had not provided the name of the officer who fired and planned to issue a subpoena for evidence.

Historical echoes

The shooting occurred on the same street where, in 2015, white officer Matt Kenny fatally shot Tony Robinson, a biracial man. That case did not result in charges, and it sparked protests then as well. The latest killing has renewed calls for police reform in Wisconsin's capital.