Updated
Updated · WKOW · Aug 11
Madison Chief Details 11-Year Record of Officer in July 22 Fatal Shooting
Updated
Updated · WKOW · Aug 11

Madison Chief Details 11-Year Record of Officer in July 22 Fatal Shooting

3 articles · Updated · WKOW · Aug 11

Summary

  • Kiel Baitinger-Peterson, identified by the Wisconsin DOJ as the officer who killed Corey Ruiz, had no sustained use-of-force allegations and no prior deadly-force incidents, Madison Police Chief John Patterson said.
  • July 22 officers were responding to reports of vehicle checking and an alleged burglary attempt when Ruiz fled on a bicycle; after officers caught him, investigators said he used a fixed-blade knife and injured Baitinger-Peterson.
  • Two other officers tried to use Tasers on Ruiz but failed before Baitinger-Peterson fired; Ruiz later died at a hospital, and Baitinger-Peterson and another officer were treated and released.
  • 2015 hire Baitinger-Peterson worked patrol until 2022, then neighborhood and gang-abatement assignments before joining the Central District Community Police Team in February; he is also a certified internal instructor.
  • Four officers, including Baitinger-Peterson, were placed on administrative leave under department policy, and the state DOJ's Division of Criminal Investigation is still investigating the shooting.

Insights

Why did two separate Taser attempts fail during the struggle before a veteran Madison officer resorted to lethal force against Corey Ruiz?
With Madison police lacking body cameras, will crucial bystander video emerge to challenge the official narrative of the fatal July confrontation?