A police officer shot and killed a man who injured him with a knife while resisting arrest in Madison, Wisconsin. This incident occurred on Wednesday and led to large protests near the state Capitol.
A cellphone video capturing three gunshots has been circulating on social media. It shows cars halted at an intersection with bystanders witnessing the events. Madison Police Chief John Patterson mentioned the deceased man was in his 30s but did not reveal his name.
During a protest, speakers identified him as Corey Ruiz. Social media videos show protesters chanting his name. The Wisconsin Examiner and the news outlet Wisconsin Right Now, citing unnamed sources, also identified the man as Ruiz.
Details of the Incident
Patterson stated that police responded to a report made just before 1 p.m. The report indicated someone attempting to enter parked cars in the neighborhood. Officers tried to contact the man, who fled on a bicycle through nearby backyards.
At around 1:30 p.m., officers encountered him again at Baldwin and Williamson streets. Either the man fell off his bike, or officers forced him off, Patterson added. A physical struggle ensued during which the man pulled a knife and injured an officer.
An officer deployed a Taser, but it failed. The same officer, who was injured, fired his weapon, leading to the man’s death later at the hospital. The police department released a picture of the knife involved. Patterson described the officer as a veteran but did not disclose further details about him or the deceased.
Community Response
Black advocacy groups in Madison assert the man was Black. Brandi Grayson, head of Urban Triage, commented that a Black man experiencing a mental health crisis was shot three times at close range. Video circulating shows officers handcuffing him and piling onto his body after the shooting.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation will conduct an independent inquiry due to police involvement. According to department policy, the four responding officers are on administrative leave.
This story is developing, and further updates are expected.
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