Overview
- A Madison police officer shot and killed 38-year-old Corey Ruiz during an on-street encounter on July 22, and four officers involved or who witnessed the incident remain on administrative leave while the Wisconsin DOJ’s Division of Criminal Investigation leads the probe.
- A makeshift memorial at Williamson and Baldwin Streets grew into a continuous encampment that has blocked the intersection and hosted vigils, mutual aid and demands for the arrest of the officer who fired the shots.
- Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and local leaders have repeatedly urged a peaceful, voluntary clearing, saying the occupation has created safety, sanitation and emergency-access concerns and harmed nearby residents and businesses.
- The city, county and nonprofits have offered crisis counseling, outreach and temporary hotel rooms for about 25–30 people though some residents declined help, and the city says it will remove barricades and begin citing or impounding vehicles that block the right of way.
- Businesses report lower foot traffic and owners warn of revenue losses, the mayor says a permanent memorial plan will be negotiated with Ruiz’s family only after the site is cleared, and the Dane County district attorney will review the DOJ/DCI report to decide whether to file charges.