Wisconsin Protester Slams Madison as Corrupt After Deadly Shooting

A police news conference in Madison, Wisconsin, spiraled into disorder Thursday after a protester moved to the podium and interrupted officials addressing the deadly police shooting of a homeless man.

The briefing was held a day after officers fatally shot the man during a Wednesday encounter that authorities said also left an officer injured by a knife.

Officials said police had been called to investigate reports of someone stealing bicycles and trying car doors. The man was later identified by police as 38-year-old Corey Durell Ruiz, who authorities described as homeless.

Police said Ruiz had a knife and wounded an officer, but demonstrators challenged the official account, accusing law enforcement of excessive force and drawing comparisons to the 2020 killing of George Floyd.

At one point, a demonstrator seized the microphone from Police Chief John Patterson.

“We don’t want any of that talk,” the protester said.

The demonstrator then launched into an extended criticism of policing, capitalism, imperialism and Zionism, accusing Patterson of representing a system the protester said had harmed his family for generations.

While the disruption continued, another demonstrator held up a sign that read, “Corrupt cops deserve to die too!!!”

Once the protesters quieted down, the chief resumed his presentation, promising his department’s full cooperation with the state investigation, according to The Associated Press. 

Court records show Ruiz had a lengthy criminal history spanning nearly three decades. He repeatedly cycled in and out of jail in cases involving failure to pay child support, vehicle theft, bail jumping, threats to authorities, resisting an officer, theft, attempted invasion of privacy and cocaine possession.

Earlier in the briefing, city officials also called for accountability, questioning the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said the shooting would be “rigorously investigated” and that no one should lose their life from a law enforcement encounter. 

“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,” Rhodes-Conway said, according to the AP. 

Madison Common Council President Sabrina Madison went further, questioning why officers involved in fatal shootings should not be taken into custody.

“My first thought is, when the officer’s walking away, why isn’t he walking away in cuffs,” Madison said, according to the AP. “I’m angry, there’s no way around it.”

Gov. Tony Evers also called for transparency and accountability as the investigation moves forward in a statement released Wednesday night. 

According to police, Ruiz fled the area on a bicycle and rode through backyards as officers responded to theft reports.

When officers caught up with Ruiz, officials said he “either fell or was pulled off the bicycle,” leading to a struggle with officers in the middle of an intersection. 

“During the struggle, the man pulled out a fixed-blade knife and injured an officer,” the Madison Police Department said. 

After unsuccessful attempts to detain Ruiz with a Taser, the officer injured during the encounter reportedly opened fire. Authorities described him as a veteran officer. 

A second officer was also injured during the encounter, but it is unclear whether the injury was caused by the knife, according to police. 

Officers reportedly attempted to provide life-saving measures at the scene before Ruiz was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

In total, four officers were involved in or witnessed the shooting, and all officers involved will be placed on administrative leave, authorities said.