Updated

Updated · Police News · Jul 27

Protester Seizes Madison Police Briefing Microphone for 14 Minutes After July 22 Fatal Shooting

Updated

Updated · Police News · Jul 27

Protester Seizes Madison Police Briefing Microphone for 14 Minutes After July 22 Fatal Shooting

Q: Why did non-lethal force fail during the struggle, and what critical evidence is the independent police monitor claiming is being withheld?

The non-lethal force failed because the TASER did not incapacitate Ruiz during a fast-moving ground struggle. Police said officers were trying to arrest him after he allegedly pulled a fixed-blade knife and injured one officer, and the TASER deployment was “unsuccessful.” Video reviewed by outside outlets suggests officers were still physically engaged with Ruiz when the TASER was fired, and analysts noted it was unclear whether one or both TASERs made effective contact. In short, the device did not gain control of Ruiz before the shooting. The critical evidence the independent police monitor, Aeiramique Glass, says is being withheld is the investigative material her office needs to review the case, especially the identity of the officer who fired and the underlying evidence gathered so far. She said police had not yet shared evidence or the shooter’s name with her office, and accused the department and city of obstructing what the public wants: independent oversight and transparency. That dispute matters because Madison officers were not wearing body cameras, leaving the case to be reconstructed largely through cellphone footage, witness video, and other unreleased recordings now being reviewed by state investigators. The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the inquiry.

3 articles · Updated · Police News · Jul 27

A protester halted Madison Police Chief John Patterson’s briefing on the July 22 shooting, took the microphone and spoke for about 14 minutes before the news conference resumed.
Community anger intensified after bystander video circulated online showing officers struggling with Corey Ruiz before one officer fired; Madison police have no body-camera footage because the department does not require cameras.
Police said officers were responding to reports of bicycle thefts and vehicle-door checks when Ruiz fled on a bike, later struggled with officers, pulled a fixed-blade knife and injured one officer before a TASER failed and the officer shot him.
Four officers were involved in or witnessed the encounter, the shooter and other involved officers were placed on administrative leave, and Wisconsin’s Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent probe.
Patterson linked the backlash to long-running distrust, noting the shooting happened near sites of Madison police killings in 2015 and 2012 and saying public trust can be lost "in a single afternoon."