State, city investigations launched into fatal shooting
MADISON, Wis. — The mother of Corey Ruiz, the 38-year-old man shot and killed by Madison police on Wednesday, broke down in tears as she described her son and demanded answers at a news conference Thursday, the family’s first public statement since the shooting.
“He was my love. He loved his daughter, he loved his family. He did not deserve to be taken out like that. They took my baby from me,” Elsa Ruiz said, crying.
According to police, Ruiz pulled a knife during a struggle with four officers, injuring one of them. That officer then fired the shots that killed Ruiz, the department said.
All four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending investigations by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the city’s independent police monitor. The dual probes will examine whether the use of force was justified.
Elsa Ruiz said she never imagined she would be burying her son. “He was my love,” she said.
The shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon on a busy city street. Authorities have not identified the officer who fired or released additional details about the encounter beyond the department’s initial account.
The state investigation and the city’s independent police monitor investigation remain ongoing.