Corey Ruiz family and Ben Crump demand justice in fatal Madison police shooting

Corey Ruiz family and Ben Crump demand justice in fatal Madison police shooting

The family of Corey Ruiz, a Madison man killed by police on July 22, 2026, has called the incident an "execution" and is demanding criminal charges and legislative reform. At a press conference held Friday, Ruiz's family appeared alongside prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump to call for accountability following the release of civilian video showing the encounter.

According to the Madison Police Department, officers were responding to reports of an individual stealing bicycles and checking vehicle doors on the city's east side. Police stated they located Ruiz, who then fled on a bicycle through backyards. The department reports that Ruiz either fell or was pulled from the bike, leading to a struggle during which Ruiz allegedly used a fixed-blade knife to injure an officer. Police said a Taser was deployed unsuccessfully before the injured officer fired his weapon.

Ruiz, who is identified in Wisconsin court records as Black or Latino, was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. A second officer was also injured, though the department stated it is not clear how. Four officers were involved in or witnessed the shooting, but only one fired. That officer is an 11-year veteran and has been placed on administrative leave along with the other three responding officers.

Attorney Ben Crump, representing the family alongside attorneys Steve Hart, B'Ivory Lamarr, and Jay Casabier, challenged the necessity of the deadly force. Crump alleged that Ruiz was shot three times in the head and other parts of his body while on his knees and with his hands restrained.

"They already had him detained. He was down. He wasn't going to get anywhere. You had him. Why did you have to do that to him?"

Ben Crump, Attorney, via tmj4.com

Crump further questioned the justification for the chase, noting that police pursued Ruiz on a bicycle based on the suspicion of a property crime. He compared the incident to a separate case 80 miles away involving a white suspect who was taken alive despite attacking police. Crump also cited the body language of other officers at the scene, claiming they appeared shocked by the shooting.

The lack of police body cameras has become a central point of contention. Attorney B'Ivory Lamarr described the absence of cameras in 2026 as "unacceptable," noting that solving a shooting should not be a "mystery." The Madison Police Department force of around 500 is among the largest in the Midwest not utilizing the devices. In response, Common Council President Sabrina Madison expects a request for $400,000 to phase in cameras over three years to be approved. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway stated her upcoming budget will include funding for the cameras, pending the creation of a usage policy before January.

The shooting has sparked significant unrest in the Marquette neighborhood, an area where two other police killings occurred in 2012 and 2015. State Rep. Sheila Stubbs (D-Madison) linked the event to the 2015 death of Tony Robinson, recalling her work on 18 bills for police accountability, nine of which are now law.

Family members described Ruiz as a kind-hearted man, a poet, and a lyricist who loved construction and roofing. His daughter, Kah'Liyah, who turned 13 last month, spoke to the crowd about the heartbreak of losing her father. Her mother, Marjorie Ali Omar, noted that the shooting occurred just two blocks from their home and Kah'Liyah's school.

Court records indicate Ruiz had a history of misdemeanor offenses, including drug possession and disorderly conduct, as well as felony convictions for robbery, strangulation, and possession of cocaine and marijuana. His sister, Veronica Ruiz, stated that his criminal record was a "tale of trauma" and did not define him.

The incident has also entered the political arena during the race to succeed Governor Tony Evers. Democratic socialist candidate Francesca Hong called the shooting "state sanctioned violence," while Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany urged rivals to let the investigation establish facts without "politicians rushing to judgment."

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent probe. Additionally, Madison's independent police monitor, Aeiramique Glass, stated her office will review the case and may recommend charges to the district attorney, though she alleged the city and department have been "obstructing" the public's desire for evidence.