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Kiel Baitinger-Peterson, a white officer with nearly 11 years'
experience in law enforcement, fired the shots that killed Corey
Ruiz on July 22, the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division
of Criminal Investigation said in a statement. Baitinger-Peterson
was one of four officers who surrounded Ruiz, who was on a bike,
in response to calls about someone who was checking out parked
cars and an alleged burglary attempt, police said.
The shooting sparked days of protests and calls from the Black
community for Madison to address racial justice issues.
Baitinger-Peterson did not reply to an email seeking comment.
Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional
Police Association, which is the state’s largest police union
and represents Madison officers, responded on behalf of
Baitinger-Peterson.
“I am deeply concerned for the safety and privacy of him, his
family, and the other officers involved,” Palmer said.
He said those concerns are being taken seriously and
“appropriate precautions” are in place.
“I urge everyone to allow the investigation to proceed and to
refrain from prejudging the officers or placing them and their
families at further risk,” Palmer said.
Baitinger-Peterson and the other three officers who interacted
with Ruiz that day have been placed on paid administrative leave
while the state investigates the shooting.
There is no timeline for when the state Justice Department
investigation will conclude. Dane County District Attorney
Ismael Ozanne will review the findings before deciding whether
to file charges against Baitinger-Peterson.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Ruiz's family,
has called for the officer to be charged.
While bystanders captured the confrontation on video, there is
no body camera footage because Madison police officers don't
wear them.
The state Justice Department said two officers attempted to use
a Taser on Ruiz but weren't successful. Ruiz “brandished a knife
and injured” Baitinger-Peterson, it said. Law enforcement
agencies haven't divulged the extent of the officer's injuries.
They did release an image of a fixed-blade knife that was
recovered at the scene.
The protests over the shooting led to several nearby community
events being canceled or postponed.
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