Wisconsin DOJ releases name of Madison police officer who shot Corey Ruiz
Wisconsin DOJ releases name of Madison police officer who shot Corey Ruiz Ruiz was shot and killed on July 22. The identity of the Madison, Wisconsin, police officer involved in the fatal shooting of Corey Ruiz was announced by investigators on Monday. The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) said Madison police officer Kiel Baitinger-Peterson shot Ruiz on July 22. “At approximately 1:00 p.m., Madison Police Department officers responded to the Marquette neighborhood [in Madison, WI] for a report of a subject allegedly involved in checking parked vehicles and an alleged burglary attempt,” the DCI said in a press release on Monday. “Officers located and attempted to contact the subject, who fled on a bicycle.” In bystander video, law enforcement can be seen restraining Ruiz after he fell off a bicycle. Officials said Ruiz pulled out a knife during a physical altercation with the officers and injured Baitinger-Peterson. The officer can be seen shooting Ruiz multiple times from close range in video footage. “Mr. Ruiz’s death was tragic, and the use of deadly force must be thoroughly examined," Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, who is representing Baitinger-Peterson, told ABC News in a statement last week. "But fairness requires acknowledging the circumstances that brought officers to the area, the danger they encountered, and their cooperation since the incident." Two other officers allegedly attempted to use a stun gun on Ruiz before shots were fired, according to DCI. A knife was recovered from the scene. ABC News obtained, verified and synchronized three bystander videos showing the shooting. The videos show a fatal confrontation that lasted just 28 seconds from the point Ruiz fell from a bicycle as he was being chased by officers in Madison until he was shot and killed, according to an ABC News analysis of verified imagery. None of the officers were wearing police body cameras. A spokesperson with the city of Madison told ABC News that the city is one of the few major cities that doesn’t have body cameras for its police officers -- besides its SWAT teams. The DCI said emergency medical services were contacted and life-saving measures were administered on Ruiz, who was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Another officer sustained injuries during the confrontation, according to officials. Both injured officers were treated at a hospital and were released. Ruiz’s family gave emotional remarks at a press conference with their attorneys in July. They said that Ruiz made mistakes in the past, but he wasn’t a violent person. “People, whoever is saying, ‘Oh, but he was a criminal.’” Kh’Liah Omar, Ruiz’s 13-year-old daughter, said at the press conference. “So what? He had a family. He had me. The last time I talked to him, it was for a short period of time, and I wish he'd be longer.” Margery Omar, Kh’Liah Omar’s mother, said that her daughter will have to walk by the location where Ruiz was shot every day that she goes to school because the shooting happened near their home. Palmer with the WPPA said that Baitinger is a certified instructor within the department and had never previously been involved in an incident involving deadly force. He also told ABC News that it is important to allow "the evidence -- not isolated images, policial pressure, or public speculation -- to determine the outcome" of the case. The union said Baitinger-Peterson and his family have also been subjected to threats, and appropriate precautions are being taken for their safety. The four responding officers will be placed on paid administrative leave, per Wisconsin law, according to the WPPA. The union said Baitinger-Peterson did not recognize Ruiz or believe he had ever interacted with him before the day of the shooting. DCI said in their statement that they are reviewing the evidence to determine the facts of the case and will turn over their findings to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office when the investigation concludes. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in a video last week that protests surrounding Ruiz’s shooting at the site of his death quickly turned into an encampment, blocking off street traffic and access to businesses. She said as city workers cleared the intersection, rocks were thrown at them and two fires were set. The mayor said despite multiple attempts to de-escalate, law enforcement was called in due to safety concerns, leading to arrests. ABC News' Sabina Ghebremedhin, Deena Zaru and Jeana Fermi contributed to this story.
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