The family of Corey Ruiz and their attorneys are demanding justice after Madison police fatally shot the 38-year-old man [1].
The incident has sparked public protests and a press conference, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding police use of force and the transparency of law enforcement investigations in the U.S.
Ruiz was shot on a Tuesday [2] near a busy intersection on the Near East Side of Madison, Wisconsin [3]. According to reports, police officers responded to the scene following allegations that Ruiz was threatening people with a knife [4].
Family members have disputed the police account of the event. They said Ruiz was not a threat and described the shooting as an execution [5]. The family's legal representatives are calling for full accountability, and a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the death.
During public appearances, Ruiz's sister said that his criminal record does not define him [6]. The family maintains that the police response was unjustified and that the fatal force used was unnecessary given the situation.
Supporters have gathered in Madison to call for systemic changes in how police interact with the community. The group is pushing for the release of all available evidence, and a transparent review of the officers' actions during the encounter on the Near East Side [3].
“The family says Ruiz was not a threat and calls the shooting an execution.”
This case underscores the recurring conflict between official police narratives and family testimonies in fatal shootings. The disparity in accounts—specifically regarding whether Ruiz was armed with a knife—will likely be the central point of legal contention as attorneys seek to determine if the use of lethal force met legal standards for an immediate threat.
