Updated July 25, 2026, 3:24 p.m. CT
Days after a police officer fatally shot a 38-year-old man, protests continue in Madison.
Since Corey Ruiz’s loss of life the afternoon of Wednesday, July 22, group members have gathered across the intersection of Williamson and South Baldwin streets, the place Ruiz was shot. By Saturday, July 25, the pavement was crammed with chalk writing, indicators, flowers and candles. Tents, foldable chairs, fires, a conveyable bathroom and some mattresses have been proof of a days-long vigil.
Around midday July 25, a number of dozen individuals marched by means of the realm. Protestors engaged in chants and songs – together with a rendition of “America the Beautiful” by the Raging Grannies of Madison. Several different group teams confirmed up, alongside neighbors and passersby. People took turns sharing their ideas with a megaphone.
Ruiz was shot round 1:15 p.m. July 22 throughout an altercation with 4 police officers.
At news conference that evening, Madison Police Chief John Patterson stated that the incident began when a number of officers tried to arrest a person who was suspected of stealing bicycles and making an attempt to enter unlocked automobiles. During the encounter with officers, the person drew a knife and injured an officer, who then fired their weapon, Patterson stated.
Footage of the interplay captured by bystanders quickly unfold on-line, evoking criticism and requires police reform. The video confirmed what seemed to be a white officer firing three pictures at a Black man on the bottom. Some authorities officers and policing experts have expressed concern with what they noticed. Much of the dialog has additionally centered across the Madison Police Department’s lack of body cameras.
Several Madison events have been canceled, postponed and had adjusted hours in response to the shooting and its group response.
The Madison Public Market postponed its grand opening, which had been scheduled for July 23. AtwoodFest, an annual neighborhood music competition, was canceled.
The Dane County Farmer’s Market, which takes up the complete Capitol Square each Saturday April by means of November, from 6:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., closed early, at 10 a.m., in response to protests.
While little greater than a dozen individuals have been gathered across the Capitol constructing instantly following the farmer’s market, the vast majority of protestors have been concentrated on the Willimson and South Baldwin streets intersection – which has remained closed for the reason that shooting.
Blockades consisting of vehicles, rubbish cans, wooden planks, visitors cones, mattresses, wood pallets and furnishings block off Williamson Street between the Willy Street Co-op and South Dickinson Street, and South Baldwin Street between East Wilson Street and Jenifer Street.
The City of Madison stated in a July 24 information launch that the closure will continue till additional discover.
Ruiz’s household retained prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump to look at if police used extreme power within the shooting. The household spoke publicly alongside Crump at a July 24 news conference.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.
