MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – State investigators released the name of the Madison Police Department officer who shot and killed a man on July 22, sparking multiple protests and calls for action in the weeks since.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice identified the officer Monday as Kiel Baitinger-Peterson.
The agency said officer Baitinger-Peterson has 10 years and 10 months of experience as a law enforcement officer.
Kiel Baitinger-Peterson was identified as the Madison Police Department officer who shot and killed Corey Ruiz, a 38-year-old man who officials say was armed with a knife.(City of Madison)
Four officers responded to the Marquette neighborhood the afternoon of Wednesday, July 22, after someone reported a person was checking parked vehicles and involved in an alleged burglary attempt. Officers tried to speak with the man, who was later identified as Corey Ruiz, and he rode away on a bicycle.
The officers found Ruiz around 1:35 p.m. at the intersection of S. Baldwin and Williamson Street.
The DOJ said a struggle happened between Ruiz and officers, at which point Ruiz allegedly pulled out a knife and hurt one officer, which was Baitinger-Peterson.
The DOJ said Monday that two officers tried to use a taser on Ruiz, which did not work. Authorities have not said why the taser did not work.
Baitinger-Peterson then shot Ruiz, the DOJ said. Officials attempted to save Ruiz’s life and took him to a hospital, where he died.
City of Madison leaders identified the man shot and killed by a Madison Police Department officer on Thursday as Corey Ruiz.(WMTV)
All four officers are on administrative leave during the investigation, which is department policy.
The other three officers who were put on leave were not named.
One officer other than Kiel Baitinger-Peterson was hurt, the DOJ said. Both officers were treated at a hospital and released.
The DOJ said officials found a knife in the area where the shooting happened.
Once DCI gathers all of its facts, the agency will hand its findings over to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office. The DA’s Office will then review the case for potential criminal charges.
In the days following the shooting, a memorial formed at the intersection of Williamson Street and S. Baldwin Street. Along with the memorial came an encampment and barricades blocking the intersection.
Early in the morning on Tuesday, Aug. 4, City of Madison employees cleared the encampment from the intersection. This reopened the street up to traffic.
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 4 City of Madison crews started to clear the protest encampment at Williamson and Baldwin Streets. The Wisconsin State Patrol has streets around the intersection blocked.(WMTV)
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