A Madison police officer shot and killed a man on a city street in a popular neighborhood less than two miles from the state Capitol.

The shooting took place at 1.30 p.m. local time on Wednesday after the man, identified as Corey Ruiz, injured the officer with a knife while resisting arrest.

According to several footages circulating online, one of the four officers involved fired the shot. All four have been reportedly placed on administrative leave.

In the footage, police cruisers can be seen arriving at the scene, and later a gunshot can be heard from a distance. A witness also recorded the police chasing the man as he rode away on his bike. “I never saw a weapon. He never brandished a weapon.”

 

Madison Police Chief John Patterson notified the family of the deceased man, who was in his 30s, about the incident. Addressing a press conference, Patterson said Ruiz had concealed a large-bladed fixed knife, contrary to rumours that it was a small folding knife. He added, “A less lethal device, a Taser, was deployed. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful.”

According to various reports, Ruiz was checking vehicles, and when police tried to confront and detain him, he brandished the knife and injured an officer.

A friend of the deceased, Jazzman Brown, told Fox47, “I just want people to remember during this that he’s a human. I mean, people are so quick during Tony Robinson and George Floyd to dehumanize them, to criminalize them. And that is not fair.”

He added Ruiz was a father of two and struggled with mental health issues and homelessness. Brown said Ruiz was more than his crime rap sheet. According to court records, Ruiz had a lengthy history with law enforcement, including charges of battery, threat to a judge, prosecutor, or law enforcement, theft, obstructing an officer, and taking a vehicle without consent.

After the news broke, many people gathered at the intersection of Williamson and South Baldwin Streets to protest against the officer. They also held a vigil for Ruiz to express their grief and pray for the deceased and his family.

The intersection was filled with candles and flowers, and a few protesters were also holding a sign, “Justice for Corey,” during the vigil.

Urban League of Greater Madison said in a statement: “We must be clear: Corey Durell Ruiz did not have to die. His death demands more than sorrow. It demands answers. It demands a full, fair, timely, and transparent review. It demands that the public understand what happened, why it happened, what alternatives were considered, and what will be done to ensure this does not happen again.”