MADISON, Wis. — Family members and supporters gathered Friday to remember Corey Ruiz, a 38-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by Madison police last month during an encounter that has sparked protests and renewed debate over the use of lethal force.
Ruiz was killed July 22 after officers encountered him during an investigation into reports of bicycle theft and people checking vehicle doors, according to police. Authorities said a confrontation followed and Ruiz produced a knife, injuring one officer during the struggle.
Police said officers attempted to use Tasers before opening fire.
Funeral Draws Civil Rights Leaders
The funeral brought together Ruiz’s relatives, community members and prominent civil rights figures. Attorney Ben Crump, who represents Ruiz’s family, attended the service, while the Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy.
Ruiz’s mother, Elsa Ruiz, spoke about her son and pushed back against descriptions of him that she felt reduced his humanity.
She said her son had been experiencing homelessness but insisted that his circumstances did not define his worth as a person.
Sharpton said he decided to travel to Wisconsin after seeing video footage of the police encounter. He questioned whether officers could have used other methods to resolve the confrontation before resorting to deadly force.
Video Raises Questions About Police Response
Bystander footage of Ruiz’s death spread widely online after the shooting, leading to demonstrations across Madison.
The footage has prompted questions about the circumstances surrounding the use of lethal force, particularly because officers had already attempted to deploy Tasers during the confrontation.
Police maintain that Ruiz was armed with a knife and that an officer was injured during the struggle. Authorities have said the attempted Taser deployment did not stop the confrontation before officers fired their weapons.
The incident remains under investigation by Wisconsin’s Division of Criminal Investigation.
No Charges Announced
No arrests had been made in connection with Ruiz’s death as of Friday.
A Madison Police Department spokesperson said the investigation remains with the state Division of Criminal Investigation. Once that process is completed, the findings will be provided to the local district attorney’s office, which will determine whether criminal charges should be filed.
The state investigative agency had not immediately provided additional details.
Madison Has History of High-Profile Police Shootings
Ruiz’s death has drawn comparisons with previous fatal police shootings involving Black men in Madison.
In 2015, police fatally shot Tony Robinson in the city. Paul Heenan was also killed by a Madison police officer in 2012.
The history has contributed to heightened attention surrounding Ruiz’s case and renewed concerns among some community members about policing and the treatment of people of color.
Ruiz’s Background
Public records in Wisconsin show that Ruiz had multiple misdemeanor and felony convictions between 2009 and 2025, including convictions involving robbery by force and strangulation.
His former girlfriend, who is the mother of his teenage daughter, previously said Ruiz had struggled with mental health issues, though she did not provide specific details.
She also said Ruiz was killed only a short distance from where his daughter lives, meaning she would pass the location and a memorial to her father on her way to school.
The investigation into Ruiz’s death remains ongoing. The state Division of Criminal Investigation is expected to provide its findings to prosecutors, who will ultimately decide whether charges are warranted.
