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A Wisconsin police briefing descended into chaos Thursday when a protester seized the podium during a heated demonstration that interrupted officials discussing the fatal police shooting of a homeless man.
The briefing came one day after law enforcement officers shot and killed a homeless man who authorities said wounded an officer with a knife during an encounter Wednesday.
According to officials, officers were responding to reports of a person stealing bicycles and checking vehicle doors. Police identified the man as Corey Durell Ruiz, a 38-year-old homeless resident.
Police said Ruiz was armed with a knife and injured an officer, but protesters accused law enforcement of using excessive force and invoked the 2020 death of George Floyd.
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One demonstrator then grabbed the microphone from Police Chief John Patterson.
“We don’t want any of that talk,” a protester said.
The protester then delivered a lengthy denunciation of police, capitalism, imperialism and Zionism, accusing Patterson of participating in a system that he said had oppressed his family for generations.
While the disruption continued, another demonstrator held up a sign that read, “Corrupt cops deserve to die too!!!”
Once the protesters quieted down, the chief resumed his presentation, promising his department’s full cooperation with the state investigation, according to The Associated Press.
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Court records show Ruiz had a lengthy criminal history spanning nearly three decades. He repeatedly cycled in and out of jail in cases involving failure to pay child support, vehicle theft, bail jumping, threats to authorities, resisting an officer, theft, attempted invasion of privacy and cocaine possession.
Earlier in the briefing, city officials also called for accountability, questioning the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said the shooting would be “rigorously investigated” and that no one should lose their life from a law enforcement encounter.
“It does not matter who you are or what your past is, you should not lose your life as a result of an encounter with law enforcement,” Rhodes-Conway said, according to the AP.
Madison Common Council President Sabrina Madison went further, questioning why officers involved in fatal shootings should not be taken into custody.
“My first thought is, when the officer’s walking away, why isn’t he walking away in cuffs,” Madison said, according to the AP. “I’m angry, there’s no way around it.”
Gov. Tony Evers also called for transparency and accountability as the investigation moves forward in a statement released Wednesday night.
According to police, Ruiz fled the area on a bicycle and rode through backyards as officers responded to theft reports.
When officers caught up with Ruiz, officials said he “either fell or was pulled off the bicycle,” leading to a struggle with officers in the middle of an intersection.
“During the struggle, the man pulled out a fixed-blade knife and injured an officer,” the Madison Police Department said.
After unsuccessful attempts to detain Ruiz with a Taser, the officer injured during the encounter reportedly opened fire. Authorities described him as a veteran officer.
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A second officer was also injured during the encounter, but it is unclear whether the injury was caused by the knife, according to police.
Officers reportedly attempted to provide life-saving measures at the scene before Ruiz was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In total, four officers were involved in or witnessed the shooting, and all officers involved will be placed on administrative leave, authorities said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
