Madison Shooting Sparks Protests at State Capitol
A police officer in Madison, Wisconsin, shot and killed a man during an attempted arrest on Wednesday. The incident, captured on cellphone video, has triggered large protests as marchers gathered at the state Capitol.
The video, widely circulated on social media, recorded three gunshots in what seemed to be a tense moment. It showed cars halted in an intersection while spectators looked on.
Madison Police Chief John Patterson spoke at a news conference, revealing that the deceased was a man in his 30s. However, he did not reveal the name. Protestors later identified the man as Corey Ruiz, according to reports from the Wisconsin Examiner. Social media videos captured demonstrators chanting his name. Wisconsin Right Now also named him Ruiz, citing anonymous sources.
Patterson noted that the circulating video offers a limited view of the events, saying, “It is not a full overview of everything.”
Details on the Shooting
Authorities were alerted around 1 p.m. by a report of an individual attempting to enter parked cars nearby, Patterson explained. Officers located the suspect, who fled on a bicycle and maneuvered through backyards.
Officers confronted him again near Baldwin and Williamson Streets around 1:30 p.m. Patterson reported that the man either fell from his bicycle or was removed by officers.
“A physical struggle unfolded in the intersection,” Patterson said. During the altercation, the suspect brandished a knife and injured an officer. Patterson mentioned that a Taser was used but failed to subdue the suspect. The injured officer then fired his weapon. The suspect later died in the hospital. A photo of the recovered knife was shared in the police’s news release.
Patterson described the shooter as an experienced officer but withheld additional details regarding the officer or the suspect.
Black advocacy groups in Madison stated the victim was Black. Brandi Grayson, leader of Urban Triage, a local Black community advocacy organization, released a statement saying, “Today, Madison police shot a Black man three times at close range while he was experiencing a mental health crisis. Video circulating through our community shows him lying dead in the street. Officers then handcuffed him and piled onto his body.”
The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation will conduct an independent inquiry, given the police involvement. Pursuant to departmental policy, the four officers present at the incident will be placed on administrative leave.
The situation remains fluid, and further updates are anticipated.