Officer Identified in Fatal Madison Police Shooting of Corey Ruiz

Investigators on Monday released the name of the Madison police officer who fatally shot 38-year-old Corey Ruiz in July, a killing captured on bystander video that ignited weeks of protests and renewed scrutiny of how Wisconsin’s capital city polices its communities of color. Kiel Baitinger-Peterson, a white officer with nearly 11 years of law enforcement experience, fired the shots that killed Ruiz on July 22, the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation said in a statement, as AP News reported.

The Shooting and Its Aftermath

Police responded to calls about someone checking parked cars and an alleged burglary attempt in Madison’s Marquette neighborhood, less than 2 miles from the state Capitol. Ruiz fled on a bicycle, and four officers surrounded him at the intersection of South Baldwin and Williamson streets. During a physical struggle, Ruiz allegedly pulled out a fixed-blade knife and injured Baitinger-Peterson. Two officers attempted to use a Taser on Ruiz but were unsuccessful, according to the state Justice Department. Baitinger-Peterson then fired his weapon, shooting Ruiz three times in the head and other parts of his body, according to family attorney Ben Crump.

The shooting, which occurred in broad daylight in front of numerous witnesses, was captured on cellphone video that circulated widely online. As AP News detailed, the footage shows Ruiz standing before being brought to his knees as officers struggle to force him into a prone position, then falling quickly to the pavement after what sounds like three gunshots.

Baitinger-Peterson and the other three officers who interacted with Ruiz have been placed on paid administrative leave while the state investigation continues. Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne will review the findings before deciding whether to file charges. There is no timeline for when the investigation will conclude.

Community Outrage and Protest

The shooting sparked immediate and sustained community outcry. Protesters disrupted events across the city, including a Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra concert at the state Capitol. Several signature community events were canceled or postponed, including AtwoodFest and the grand opening of a new public market, while the downtown farmers market closed early. Wisconsin Public Radio reported that protesters established an encampment at the shooting site that lasted nearly two weeks before the city forcibly cleared it on August 4-5, resulting in 22 arrests, multiple fires, and clashes between protesters and police.

Ruiz’s family has retained Ben Crump, the nationally renowned civil rights attorney, who has called for criminal charges against the officer. At an emotional news conference with Ruiz’s family, Crump said the case must be examined for excessive force.

“They not only tackled him, not only tased him, not only kicked him, but you saw they shot him three times in his head and other parts of his body,” Crump said, as AP News reported.

Ruiz’s 13-year-old daughter, Kah’liyah Aliomar, spoke publicly for the first time, saying, “My heart was broken and hurt so much knowing I can’t see my father anymore.” His mother, Elsa Ruiz, sobbed as she described her loss: “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.”

Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, which represents Baitinger-Peterson, urged the public to allow the investigation to proceed. “I am deeply concerned for the safety and privacy of him, his family, and the other officers involved,” Palmer said. “I urge everyone to allow the investigation to proceed and to refrain from prejudging the officers or placing them and their families at further risk.”

The Body Camera Debate

A central issue in the aftermath has been Madison’s lack of body-worn cameras. Unlike nearly every other similarly sized city, Madison does not require its police to wear them. The department of around 500 officers is among the largest in the Midwest without the devices, with only SWAT team and motorcycle unit officers equipped with them. As AP News noted, roughly 80% of police departments with 500 or more sworn officers had acquired body cameras by 2016, a figure now approaching 100%.

The shooting has renewed momentum for body-worn cameras. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said she will fund a three-year phased-in plan for department-wide body cameras by 2029, with a budget request of $414,784 submitted. Wisconsin Public Radio reported that the proposal would start with officers in the city’s north policing district in 2027 and expand citywide by 2029.

“We are in a major metropolitan city in the state of Wisconsin, and Madison is one of the few cities that still does not have police body cameras,” said B’Ivory Lamarr, an attorney for the Ruiz family. “In 2026, solving a police shooting should not be a mystery.”

Madison’s interim independent police monitor, Aeiramique Glass, has been critical of the department’s lack of transparency. She told Wisconsin Public Radio that she is still awaiting basic information including the names of officers involved and dashcam footage. “I should not have to wait. I should get the information immediately,” Glass said.

A Neighborhood’s History of Police Shootings

This was the third police killing in the same Madison neighborhood since 2012. In 2015, a white officer shot and killed Tony Robinson, a biracial 19-year-old, on the same street. Large protests followed, but the district attorney filed no charges, determining the officer was justified. In 2012, Paul Heenan, a white musician, was fatally shot after mistakenly entering his neighbor’s house. That officer was also exonerated. Robinson’s death led to the creation of the Office of the Independent Police Monitor.

Political Implications

The shooting has become a flashpoint in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race to succeed Gov. Tony Evers, who is not seeking a third term. Voting was already underway in the August 11 primary when the officer was identified. Wisconsin Public Radio reported that Democratic candidates called for accountability and transparency, while Republican frontrunner Tom Tiffany urged the public not to rush to judgment.

What’s Next

The state Justice Department’s investigation continues with no timeline for conclusion. Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne will ultimately decide whether to file charges against Baitinger-Peterson. Meanwhile, the Common Council is expected to consider the body camera proposal, and the city continues to grapple with the broader questions of police accountability and community trust that the shooting has thrust into the spotlight.

As Mayor Rhodes-Conway said in the days after the shooting: “It does not matter who you are or what your past is, you should not lose your life as a result of an encounter with law enforcement.”