07/23/2026
OFFICER INVOLVED DEATH OF COREY DURELL RUIZ
Madison, WI – July 23, 2026. The NAACP Dane County extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Corey Durell Ruiz, sharing in their grief and emphasizing our commitment to justice and compassion during this tragic time.
Yesterday, a Madison Police Officer fatally shot an African American male in his 30s on Madison's east side. Four officers were involved in the struggle. Cellphone video shows an officer firing three times. The State Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation will lead the investigation, which we expect to be thorough and transparent to uphold accountability.
This tragic event not only revives our memories of other police shootings but makes us question the lessons learned from similar actions in the past.
· * WHERE ARE THE BODY CAMERAS?
· * THE NAACP IS TIRED OF HEARING APOLOGIES TO BLACK FAMILIES OF
POLICE SHOOTINGS WE URGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND POLICYMAKERS TO TAKE CONCRETE ACTIONS TOWARD MEANINGFUL REFORM AND JUSTICE.
· * WE ARE TIRED OF BLACK DEATHS BEING JUSTIFIED ON THE SOLE BASIS
THAT AN ARMED OFFICER FEARED HARM.
· * THIS TRAGIC EVENT IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM'S
FAILURE TO PROTECT BLACK LIVES. WE CALL FOR POLICY REFORMS,
INCLUDING MANDATORY BODY CAMERAS AND REVISED USE-OF-FORCE
TRAINING, TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY AND PREVENT FUTURE TRAGEDIES.
The Fourth Amendment protects the right to be free from the use of excessive force in the course of an arrest. What is the severity of the crime at issue? Does the suspect pose an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others? Is the suspect actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight? The news reports of the crime suggest and show no or limited severity; the suspect poses no threat due to the restraint of three officers; and no attempt to resist. Thus, the use of excessive force is not reasonable and must be front and center.
While the facts and circumstances are under investigation, a critical question is whether the suspect was brandishing a dangerous weapon in a threatening way. The videos do not appear to support or substantiate this matter.
A complete and transparent investigation emphasizing accountability is not enough. We demand that police training guidelines be revised based on the 2025 U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Barnes v. Felix to better protect community members and prevent excessive use of force.
“We The People”
Greg Jones, President
NAACP Dane County
