Wisconsin DOJ Investigates Police Shooting of Madison Man Corey Ruiz

The incident began Wednesday afternoon when Madison Police Department officers responded to reports of a person stealing bicycles and checking vehicle doors in the Marquette neighborhood. According to police, Corey Ruiz fled on a bicycle through backyards before being intercepted at the intersection of South Baldwin and Williamson streets.

Once on the ground, a physical struggle ensued. Police Chief John Patterson stated that Ruiz produced a large, fixed-blade knife and injured a veteran officer. While officers attempted to use a Taser to subdue him, Patterson noted the device was unsuccessful. The officer who was injured by the knife then opened fire, killing Ruiz.

Bystander Video and the Taser Timeline

The official police account is being challenged by bystander footage that has circulated widely on social media. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, retained by the Ruiz family, claims the video shows Ruiz was already tased and on the ground before officers opened fire.

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“The video gives us a clear picture of what happened. Corey Ruiz was tased, taken to the ground, and then he was shot multiple times at close range, including in his face. This case has to be examined for excessive force. It happened in broad daylight, in front of dozens of witnesses. The family deserves the truth, and the public deserves accountability.”

Ben Crump, Civil Rights Attorney

The timing of the escalation is a central point of contention.

The Body-Camera Gap and Budget Disputes

A critical missing piece of evidence in the investigation is official police footage; the Madison Police Department does not currently use body-worn cameras.

Criminal History vs. Community Memory

Public records show that Ruiz had 40 misdemeanor and felony convictions from 2009 to 2025. The crimes include robbery by force, strangulation, drug possession, vehicle theft and battery of a public safety worker, according to the records. It appears that Ruiz was most recently convicted of resisting law enforcement and drug paraphernalia possession, the records show.

However, those who knew him personally describe a different man. Community organizer Jazzman Brown, who knew Ruiz for over 20 years, described him as a loving father and a friend who was experiencing homelessness and mental health struggles at the time of his death.

Justice Department Process and Accountability

The investigation is being handled by the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

• Evidence Gathering: DCI agents are processing the scene, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing evidence.
• Identification: The DCI will release the name of the officer who fired the weapon.
• Legal Review: Once findings are complete, the case will be handed to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office to determine if criminal charges are warranted.

Chief Patterson has placed four officers on administrative leave. He stated the department will not wait for the state’s investigation to conclude before reviewing its own training and policies.

Civic Unrest and a History of Trauma

The shooting has triggered immediate and volatile reactions. Hundreds of protesters marched to the Wisconsin State Capitol on July 22, and a candlelight vigil was held Thursday evening at the intersection of Williamson and South Baldwin streets.

The tension peaked during a Thursday news conference when protesters interrupted Chief Patterson for approximately 20 minutes.

This reaction is rooted in a broader pattern of unrest in Madison. Chief Patterson acknowledged the trauma that this community has gone through, while Mayor Rhodes-Conway stated, It does not matter who you are or what your past is. You should not lose your life as a result of an encounter with law enforcement. That should not happen.

The case remains an open homicide investigation. The next pivotal step rests with the DCI’s release of the officer’s identity and the subsequent review by the Dane County District Attorney.