Corey Ruiz’s sister says criminal record does not define him
Corey Ruiz’s sister said her brother’s criminal record should not define him, as she delivered an emotional plea for justice during a news conference attended by family members and supporters following his fatal shooting by police.
Ruiz, 38, was fatally shot by a Madison police officer on Wednesday after officers responded to reports of a man allegedly threatening people with a knife near East Washington Avenue and North First Street.
According to the Madison Police Department, Ruiz refused repeated commands to drop the knife and injured one officer during a struggle before another officer opened fire. Authorities have said one officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation is leading an independent investigation into the shooting, while the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
The family’s appearance came as protests over Ruiz’s death continued to grow in Madison, with demonstrators demanding accountability and greater transparency from city officials.
Ruiz’s sister said her brother’s past should not overshadow the circumstances of his death and that his criminal record did not define him.
Newsweek contacted Madison police Saturday via email for comment.
‘His Criminal Record Does Not Define Who My Brother Was’
Fighting back tears, Ruiz’s sister began by thanking those who had rallied around the family.
“I just want to thank the community and everyone that is standing up to support my family and my brother as we fight for justice for his execution,” she said.
Visibly moved, she continued: “There has already been so much negativity about him, and nobody even knows who he is. His criminal record tells a tale of trauma, of pain, of struggle. It does not define who my brother was.”
Supporters standing nearby responded with words of encouragement, with one person calling out, “That’s right.”
Claims of ‘Execution’
Questioning the circumstances surrounding the shooting, she said: “And for him to be executed the way he was based on, in conclusion, based on speculation… I don’t understand. I need somebody to help me understand why they felt it was okay to execute my brother.”
As she paused to wipe away tears, another supporter shouted, “It wasn’t.”
She then added: “Based on no facts at all.”
After lowering her head during a prolonged pause, while relatives and supporters comforted her, she continued: “Why is it the police’s decision to decide that he gets to pay an alleged debt to society with his life?”
Solemn Gathering
Overcome with emotion, she wrung her hands as members of the crowd called out “take your time” and offered further words of support. During the pause, a man standing beside her told those gathered she had driven through the night from Austin, Texas, after learning what had happened to her brother. Others standing alongside her appeared solemn, with some consoling one another and others visibly holding back tears.
Resuming her remarks, she urged those who believed the shooting was justified to reflect on their views.
“Everybody that feels like this was justified, I need you to check in with your higher power,” she said, before adding while shaking her head, “because we’ve got some more stuff coming.”
She concluded by calling for continued public support as the family seeks accountability.
“I hope everyone continues to support and come together and help us find justice for him, some kind of peace for us knowing that this murderer is not able to do this to somebody else,” she said.
As the news conference ended, the man standing beside her, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, repeatedly chanted, “Justice for Corey!” with others in attendance echoing the call.
Ruiz’s death has sparked days of demonstrations across Madison, with hundreds of protesters gathering at the scene of the shooting before marching through downtown and to the Wisconsin State Capitol. Demonstrators have called for accountability, the release of additional information about the shooting and justice for Ruiz. Flowers, candles and handwritten messages have also been left at a growing memorial near the site where he was killed.
Protests have also disrupted official events. A city news conference was repeatedly interrupted by demonstrators demanding answers from Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Police Chief John Patterson, while an outdoor concert planned at the Capitol was canceled amid the unrest.
Local news station WMTV15 reported that protestors were continuing to gather on and around Williamson Street, where sections of the road are closed off with trucks and barriers, and some businesses in the area have decided to close, whilst many others remain open in a show of solidarity.
“I feel like the best way for us to serve our community, especially with the resources we have, being like the physical space as well as like the proximity, we’re able to support our community this way,” Taylor Swanson, General Manager of Gib’s store said, as per the outlet.
As reported by Newsweek, the Ruiz family has retained civil rights attorney Crump, who has called for criminal charges against the officer who fired the fatal shots. Crump has argued the force used against Ruiz was excessive, while police have maintained the shooting was justified because Ruiz allegedly wounded an officer with a knife during the encounter.
The case has also renewed scrutiny of the Madison Police Department’s lack of body-worn cameras. Because officers were not equipped with body cameras during the incident, investigators are relying on bystander video, surveillance footage and witness accounts to reconstruct what happened.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice has said its investigation remains ongoing. Once complete, its findings will be turned over to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether any criminal charges are warranted.
Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.
