Madison, Wis., Corey Ruiz shooting: 5 things to know about man killed in police shooting after chilling video emerges
Corey Ruiz has been identified as the man shooting and was killed in Madison by Madison Police Department officers, Wisconsin,Thursday. The incident sparked massive protests.
While Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced that Ruiz had been identified, Madison Police Chief John Patterson said Ruiz’s killing was an “open, active homicide investigation.”
Corey Ruiz shoots video
Ruiz’s family hires attorney Ben Crump He shared a video of his shooting on X. “Corey Ruiz was reportedly shot multiple times by police in broad daylight in Madison, Wisconsin. Every loss of life during an encounter with police requires careful scrutiny,” he wrote.
(Disclaimer: The following video contains graphic violence)
It’s worth noting that Ruiz has a long criminal history, but the governor still slammed the violent end he met. “It doesn’t matter who you are or what your past is. You should not lose your life because of an encounter with law enforcement,” Lord-Conway said.
Here’s everything you need to know about Corey Ruiz and his criminal past.
Corey Ruiz: 5 things you need to know
- Corey Ruiz is homeless but has a child.
- Ruiz was charged with theft, obstructing law enforcement and battery.
- Police encountered Ruiz while responding to a report of someone checking a parked vehicle. According to the Madison Police Department, officers were “called to the area in reference to someone stealing a bicycle and inspecting the vehicle.”
- Police chased him and caught up near the intersection of Williamson Street and South Baldwin Street on Madison’s Near East Side. According to the Madison Police Chief, a “physical altercation” occurred at this time. Ruiz reportedly pulled out a fixed-blade knife and stabbed a “veteran” who was trying to arrest him.
- In videos shared widely online, including one shared by Ruiz’s attorney Crump, the man can be seen being Tasered by police. As Ruiz appears to fall backwards, his legs are pinned by one officer while another officer draws his gun and three gunshots can be heard.
While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not yet revealed the identity of the officer who shot Ruiz, but various activists and political entities named the officer on social media. The American political party Socialism and Liberation identified the police officer as Keir Peterson. HT.com could not independently verify this claim.
“Large crowds once again took to the streets of Madison, Wisconsin, demanding the arrest and conviction of police officer Kiel Peterson for yesterday’s murder of 41-year-old Corey Ruiz. Justice for Corey Ruiz and all victims of racist police and ICE terror!” they wrote, sharing a video of the protest in which chants of “Killer cops must go!” can be heard.
Francesca Hong, the Democratic frontrunner in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race, reportedly condemned Ruiz’s shooting. “Corey Ruiz was a member of our community. His life mattered. He did not deserve to be shot in the street. Fatal encounters with law enforcement occur all too often — especially for people of color. The only acceptable number of police killings is zero,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, vigils were held for the victims and calls grew for the arrest of the Madison Police Department officers involved in the incident.
