Madison police killing sparks protests and investigation

A Madison, Wisconsin, police officer fatally shot Corey Ruiz during a struggle in a busy neighborhood intersection Wednesday, prompting protests, calls for accountability and a state investigation into the encounter.

Ruiz, who was in his 30s and a member of the Madison community, was identified by officials Thursday. Police said he was shot after pulling out a fixed-blade knife and injuring an officer as four officers tried to detain him. Madison City Council President Sabrina Madison said Ruiz “has a family who loves him. I believe Corey has a child.”

Officers had been sent Wednesday afternoon to the city’s Marquette neighborhood after reports that someone was stealing bicycles and checking vehicle doors, police said. They located Ruiz, but he fled on a bicycle through backyards, authorities said. Officers encountered him again at South Baldwin and Williamson streets.

Police said Ruiz either fell or was pulled off the bicycle, adding that the exact circumstances remain under review. A struggle followed in the intersection. “During the struggle, the man pulled out a fix-blade knife and injured an officer,” the Madison Police Department said in a statement.

Madison Police Chief John Patterson said an officer deployed a Taser, but it did not work. The injured officer then fired his gun. Video reviewed by CBS News showed police appearing to shoot Ruiz three times about two seconds after the Taser was deployed. A video verified by NBC News appears to show officers holding Ruiz as someone yells, “Let go!” and multiple people shout, “He’s got a knife!” Someone then appears to yell, “Taser!” before a male officer standing over Ruiz appears to fire three rounds.

Police said officers provided lifesaving measures at the scene. Ruiz was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Four officers were involved in or witnessed the shooting, police said. Only one, described by Patterson as a veteran officer, fired his weapon. The officer has not been publicly identified. Another officer was also injured, though police said they do not believe those injuries were caused by the knife.

None of the officers wore body cameras. Madison police do not currently use body-worn cameras, though Patterson has said obtaining funding for them is a top priority.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the inquiry because the shooting involved police officers. Patterson described the case Thursday as “an open and active homicide investigation right now.” All four officers have been placed on administrative leave, which officials said is standard protocol and required under state law pending an independent investigation.

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said the shooting will be “rigorously investigated.” She also said Wednesday that she was “angered and saddened” and urged patience as officials gather information. “It’s understandable that people want answers now. I want them too,” she said. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said he had been briefed and added, “There must be transparency and accountability in any investigation moving forward.”

The shooting drew protesters to the area Wednesday night. Some chanted, “Arrest the cops!” while others left flowers and candles and held a vigil. There were no reports of problems connected to the protests. Patterson urged calm and said videos circulating online show only one view of what happened.

“I ask the community to recognize that there is other video that they have not seen, that’s not circulating online, that will be reviewed as part of this investigation,” he said.

The shooting happened on Williamson Street, less than 2 miles from the state Capitol, in a neighborhood lined with restaurants, bars, shops and homes. Police said it occurred about a block and a half from where Tony Robinson was shot and killed by a Madison officer in 2015 and near the site where Paul Heenan was shot and killed by a Madison officer in 2012.

At a heated Thursday news conference, Patterson was interrupted by protesters for about 20 minutes. One took the microphone to condemn police brutality and demand that the officer who fired be jailed.

“I want to be clear: It does not matter who you are or what your past is,” Rhodes-Conway said. “You should not lose your life as a result of an encounter with law enforcement, that should not happen.”