Corey Ruiz's fatal shooting by Madison police leads to a week-long protest and traffic closure on Williamson Street.
Madison, Wisconsin, residents and businesses are navigating a nearly week-long closure of Williamson Street following the fatal shooting of Corey Ruiz by a police officer. The protest zone, established at the intersection of and Baldwin streets, features barricades made of trash cans and wooden pallets, creating a lawless zone that has impacted local commerce and resident mobility. District 6 Alder Davy Mayer is working with protesters to find a resolution that avoids a violent clearing of the intersection. The city is providing basic services like portable restrooms and salt trucks as blockades. While the family of Corey Ruiz, represented by attorney B'Ivory LaMarr, emphasizes that his criminal history should not overshadow the central question of whether the law enforcement actions were lawful and reasonable. Public records indicate that Corey Ruiz had a violent criminal history, including eight convictions for resisting and obstructing police officers over two decades. Despite these prior records, the family seeks a full and transparent examination of the facts surrounding his death.