Following a fatal police shooting on a busy street near the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison on Wednesday, grieving family members and civil rights attorney Ben Crump demanded accountability during an emotional news conference, as state investigators launched an independent probe into the incident.
The Fatal Encounter at Williamson and Baldwin Streets
The incident unfolded around 1 p.m. on Wednesday on the city’s Near East Side at the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin streets. According to the Madison Police Department, officers were called to the neighborhood on a report of someone trying to enter parked vehicles. After locating the suspect, authorities reported that the man drove away on a bicycle.
Officers saw the man about 30 minutes later, and he either fell off or was pulled off his bike. A struggle ensued, and police said the man pulled out a knife when he was being arrested and injured an officer. That officer then fired the shots, according to police. The man killed in the shooting was identified as 38-year-old Corey Ruiz.
The location of the shooting carries immediate historical resonance for the community. The site sits just blocks from where Tony Robinson was killed by police in 2015. Officials did not find wrongdoing in that 2015 shooting, but the city later settled a lawsuit with the family.
Family Grief and Calls for Transparency from Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway
The emotional news conference Thursday marked the first time the family has made a public statement since Ruiz was killed. The mother of the man shot and killed by Madison police said Corey Ruiz was an exceptional man who loved his daughter and the rest of his family.
He was my love. He loved his daughter, he loved his family. He did not deserve to be taken out like that. They took my baby from me,
his mother Elsa Ruiz said, breaking down in tears.
Elsa Ruiz, via ABC7 Chicago
She said she never imagined she would be burying her son. The family promised to seek justice for Ruiz’ death. They were accompanied by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who called the shooting an unjustified “execution.”
Anytime there is excessive use of force, there should be accountability,
Crump said.
Ben Crump, via ABC7 Chicago
He said it was shocking on every level.
City leadership also addressed the tragedy. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway stated in a release, “I am angered and saddened by what happened today. My heart breaks for those who have lost a loved one, those who witnessed the shooting, and everyone impacted. There is real pain in our city right now. It’s an absolute tragedy when a member of our community is killed by anyone, but especially by the police. I understand the anger, grief, and fear people are feeling — because I am feeling that too. As a city, as a community, as a society, we need to do better.”
Independent Investigations and the Body Camera Debate
All four officers have been placed on administrative leave pending a state investigation. The State Division of Criminal Investigation will be conducting an independent investigation, and the Madison Police Department is cooperating fully and is not in charge of the investigation. A separate investigation by the city’s independent police monitor is also underway.
The shooting was captured on cellphone video that was widely shared online, though Madison Police Chief John Patterson cautioned Thursday that the video did not show the altercation from the police officers’ perspective. But unlike nearly every other similarly sized city, Madison doesn’t require its police to use body-worn cameras, so there is no footage from the officers’ perspective.
Thank God there was video,
Crump said. If there wasn't video, imagine what the narrative would have been.
Ben Crump, via ABC7 Chicago
Community Response and Next Steps
As formal investigations get underway, local officials are preparing for public demonstrations and community dialogue. Mayor Rhodes-Conway stated, People have every right to peacefully protest, and it's important to me that those who want to exercise their First Amendment rights are able to do so safely. City staff are working to facilitate that.
As a first step, Mayor Rhodes-Conway encouraged people to attend the community listening session organized by Common Council President Sabrina Madison, with details to be released soon. Furthermore, the mayor urged residents to access mental health resources if needed, noting that immediate support is available via the 988 crisis line, and Public Health Madison Dane County has additional resources.
