Hundreds of demonstrators marched through downtown Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday to protest the police killing of Corey Ruiz, a man with a criminal record who allegedly stabbed an officer with a knife before being shot.
![Protesters march for accountability after a fatal police shooting, holding signs like "Black Lives Matter" and "Public Servant, employed by the people, not power."]( "Protesters march for accountability after a fatal police shooting, holding signs like "Black Lives Matter" and "Public Servant, employed by the people, not power."" )
The march, which drew nearly 500 participants, began at the intersection where Ruiz, 38, was shot three times on Wednesday during a struggle with several officers. The procession moved toward the Madison Police Department headquarters.
During the demonstration, some protesters blocked traffic and confronted a motorist. Video footage showed one demonstrator yelling at a female driver who identified herself as an ally and expressed a desire to join the protest. Other demonstrators holding a Black Lives Matter flag reportedly harassed diners seated outside an upscale restaurant, with one protester chanting "White silence is violence!" toward them.
Earlier on Thursday, protesters interrupted a police press conference about the shooting, with one individual pushing Madison Police Chief John Patterson aside while speaking at the podium. A sign held by one protester read, "Corrupt cops deserve to die too!! F—k you kill Peterson."
According to court records and acquaintances, Ruiz was homeless and had a lengthy criminal history, including charges for assaulting police officers. He was allegedly carrying a knife at the time of the confrontation that led to the officer's injury. Police stated that Ruiz was being restrained and struggling with officers when one officer discharged their weapon three times.
