A man was shot and killed by a Madison Police Department officer on Wednesday after he allegedly injured the officer with a knife during a struggle. The incident, which occurred in the city's Marquette neighborhood, has prompted protests and statements from local and state officials.
Police Respond to Bicycle Theft Calls
Madison Police Department officers were responding to reports of a person stealing bicycles and checking vehicle doors when they encountered the man. The individual reportedly fled from officers on a bicycle, navigating through backyards before encountering police again at an intersection.
According to the police department's news release, the man either fell or was pulled from the bicycle at the intersection, a detail that is still under investigation. A physical struggle then ensued between the man and officers.
Knife Produced, Officer Injured
During the altercation, the man allegedly produced a fix-blade knife and injured one of the responding officers. Police shared a photograph of the knife, which features a black handle. Video footage reviewed by CBS News captured an officer shouting, "He's got a knife!"
Police Chief John Patterson stated at a news conference Wednesday that a Taser was deployed by an officer but was unsuccessful. The officer who had been injured by the knife then fired his weapon. Video evidence suggests the man was shot approximately two seconds after the Taser deployment. A knife was observed being thrown to the ground after the shooting, with blood appearing visible nearby.
Investigation and Community Response
Lifesaving measures were administered at the scene, and the man was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police have not officially identified the man, but Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and District 6 Alder Davey Mayer identified him as Corey Ruiz. He was reported to be in his 30s.
Four officers were involved in or witnessed the shooting. The officer who discharged his weapon is described as a veteran officer. Another officer sustained injuries, though the department indicated these were not believed to be caused by the knife. The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation will lead the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, a standard procedure when police are involved in fatalities.
Mayor Rhodes-Conway confirmed that all four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol. She acknowledged the community's desire for immediate answers and pledged that she and the Common Council would work to share information as it becomes available, adding that details for a community listening session would be announced soon.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stated he had been briefed on the shooting and was receiving ongoing updates. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability throughout the investigation.
Context and Ongoing Concerns
The shooting occurred in a busy neighborhood less than two miles from the state Capitol. Notably, in 2015, a police shooting of Tony Robinson on the same street also led to significant protests. That incident resulted in a $3.35 million settlement from the city in 2017 after the district attorney determined the officer's actions were justified.
While the races of the officer and the man killed have not been officially released by police, advocates for Madison's Black community stated the deceased man was Black. Brandi Grayson, head of Urban Triage, a local advocacy group, expressed the community's anguish. "Another Black man is dead on a Madison street," Grayson said, calling it "the cruelty of state violence."
A crowd gathered at the scene, with some protesters chanting and a vigil being held. Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong was among those present. Police Chief Patterson called for calm, urging the community to consider that not all video evidence of the incident has been released or is circulating online.
Madison police currently do not use body-worn cameras, a measure Police Chief Patterson has identified as a funding priority.
