Madison police have identified Kiel Baitinger-Peterson, a white officer with nearly 11 years of law enforcement experience, as the officer who fatally shot Corey Ruiz, a 38-year-old Black man, on July 22. The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation confirmed Baitinger-Peterson’s involvement in a statement, marking a key development in the ongoing investigation.
Baitinger-Peterson was one of four officers who surrounded Ruiz, who was on a bike, after reports of someone checking parked cars and an alleged burglary attempt. During the confrontation, Ruiz allegedly brandished a knife and injured Baitinger-Peterson, according to the statement. Two officers attempted to use a Taser on Ruiz but were unsuccessful. Baitinger-Peterson then discharged his firearm, striking Ruiz, who was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead. Both Baitinger-Peterson and another officer sustained injuries and were treated at a hospital before being released.
The shooting has drawn significant attention, with days of protests following the incident. Demonstrators called for transparency, accountability, and broader reforms addressing racial justice in Madison. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Ruiz’s family, described the shooting as an “execution” and demanded an independent investigation and criminal charges against the officer.
Ruiz’s mother, Elsa Ruiz, expressed grief and disbelief, stating her son “did not deserve to be taken out like that.” The Wisconsin Professional Police Association, representing Madison officers, issued a statement expressing concern for the safety and privacy of Baitinger-Peterson and the other officers involved. The association urged restraint, stating that “appropriate precautions” were in place and calling for the investigation to proceed without prejudgment.
Baitinger-Peterson and the three other officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave while the state’s Division of Criminal Investigation continues its review. Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne will examine the findings before determining whether to file charges. No timeline has been provided for the conclusion of the investigation.
The incident occurred amid broader national discussions about police use of force and racial equity. Madison police do not equip officers with body cameras, and bystander footage captured the shooting, though no body camera footage is available. A fixed-blade knife was recovered at the scene, according to authorities.