The Madison police officer involved in the July shooting of Corey Ruiz has been identified as Kiel Baitinger-Peterson. Baitinger-Peterson, a white officer with over a decade of law enforcement experience, shot and killed Ruiz, a 38-year-old Black man armed with a knife, on July 22. This information was confirmed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation.

The incident led to significant public unrest, including protests demanding transparency and accountability, and urging Madison to address racial justice issues. While bystanders captured video footage of the shooting, no body camera footage exists as Madison police officers are not equipped with body cameras.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Ruiz’s family, labeled the event an “execution,” calling for an independent investigation and criminal charges against Baitinger-Peterson. According to the statement, four officers, including Baitinger-Peterson, surrounded Ruiz in response to calls about someone allegedly checking parked cars and a suspected burglary attempt.

During the confrontation, Ruiz allegedly “brandished a knife and injured” Baitinger-Peterson. Efforts by two officers to subdue Ruiz with a Taser were unsuccessful, leading Baitinger-Peterson to fire his weapon, striking Ruiz. Ruiz was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Both Baitinger-Peterson and another officer sustained injuries during the altercation; however, details about the extent of the injuries have not been disclosed. Both officers received treatment at a local hospital. An image of the fixed-blade knife reportedly recovered at the scene was released by police.

Madison Police Chief John Patterson stated that he will maintain daily communication with the state Justice Department’s investigation team, sharing information as possible with the community. Patterson acknowledged the challenges faced by the community in the aftermath, pledging to create spaces for dialogue and engagement.

Baitinger-Peterson joined the Madison Police Department in 2015. He served as a patrol officer until 2022, then as a neighborhood police officer, and later joined the department’s Gang and Neighborhood Crime Abatement Team. Since February, he has been part of the Central District Community Police Team. Patterson confirmed that Baitinger-Peterson, a certified instructor, has no prior sustained use of force allegations.

This story is still developing, and updates are anticipated.