Hundreds gather in Madison demanding justice after fatal police shooting
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) — Hundreds of people gathered for hours at the intersection of Baldwin Street and Williamson Street in Madison, where a man was shot and killed by police.
“He was always smiling and happy and just full of life,” said Jazzman Brown, a friend of Corey Ruiz.
The intersection has now been turned into a memorial for Ruiz, who was killed Wednesday.
“He’s a person, he’s a human, people loved him,” Brown said. “He had a family, he had kids. No theft or car rambling or whatever equates to someone’s life.”
Video shows the moment several officers attempted to detain Ruiz. Police said he had a knife and injured an officer. That same officer then shot and killed him.
“I don’t think you can say the Taser three seconds before the shot was an attempt,” Brown said. “I mean, even if you’re going to shoot someone, why not the leg? You were standing over him shooting point-blank.”
Family members, friends and supporters continued to gather, demanding justice and accountability.
"It was very emotional, both angry and sad, but not surprising when we have a system that does not care about people, especially people of color,” said Joshua Taylor with the Milwaukee Party for Socialism and Liberation. “That’s why we’re out here, to get justice."
Protesters said they want to see the officer who fired the shot arrested and convicted.
"We’re not going to stop until he gets justice," Taylor said.
Community members also called for every Madison police officer to wear a body camera.
“We are one of the biggest cities to not require body cameras for police officers,” said Basil Jones. “I think it’s really interesting that people live in a city where they pretend that things don’t happen, so police officers wouldn’t need a body camera until a situation just like this happens and we’re wishing for something that could’ve been implemented a long time ago.”