Nationwide — Corey Ruiz, an African American man from Madison, Wisconsin, was shot and killed by a Madison police officer, leaving his family searching for answers. His mother and daughter spoke out about his death and remembered him as a loving father who cared deeply for his family.
Police shot Ruiz Wednesday afternoon during a confrontation at a busy intersection on Madison’s near-east side. Days later, his family gathered at a news conference to share their grief and call for accountability.
Ruiz’s mother, Elsa Ruiz, and his daughter, Kah’liyah Ruiz, spoke alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump and state Rep. Shelia Stubbs. They described Corey as a kind, funny person who loved music, his daughter and his family.
Elsa Ruiz said her son was a caring father and someone who brought love to those around him. She said he did not deserve to lose his life.
“My son was an exceptional guy, he was my love,” Elsa Ruiz said, according to WKOW. “He loved his daughter. He loved his family. He did not deserve to be taken out like that.”
Kah’liyah Ruiz said she was overwhelmed when she learned her father had been shot and killed. She said the news left her heartbroken because she could no longer see or spend time with him.
“When she told me he had been shot and dead and killed, I started crying,” she said. “I didn’t even know what to say, I didn’t know what to do. My heart was just so broken, and it just hurts so much knowing I can’t see my father anymore.”
The family also questioned how police handled the encounter and said they wanted to know why officers did not use other methods before shooting Ruiz.
Police said Ruiz pulled out a fixed-blade knife during a struggle and injured an officer. A bystander video appears to show Ruiz going to the ground during the confrontation, followed by three gunshots as an officer points a gun while standing.
Crump said the video raised concerns about the use of force and showed why footage of police encounters is important. “Thank God there was video,” Crump said. “If there wasn’t video, we can only imagine what the narrative would have been.”
Ruiz’s family are calling for justice and asking Madison police officers to begin using body cameras. The department currently does not require officers to wear them.