Ben Crump says the Cop Who Murdered Corey Ruiz Should Face Criminal Charges

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, retained by the family of Corey Ruiz, said in a statement Thursday that the Wisconsin police officer who fatally shot Ruiz should face criminal charges. Crump characterized the killing as an unjustified use of excessive force, saying Ruiz “was tased, taken to the ground, and then he was shot multiple times at close range, including in his face.”

A Madison police officer fatally shot Ruiz, 38, on Wednesday afternoon during an attempted arrest at a busy intersection. Four Madison Police Department (MPD) officers apparently responded to a report of a person checking parked vehicles. The police report says Ruiz fled on a bicycle, and a chase followed. It then claims Ruiz produced a fixed-blade knife that injured one officer, who then fired three shots. However, Crump stated that bystander footage reviewed by his office shows that the officers appeared to have tased and brought Ruiz to the ground before the shooter opened fire. All four officers have been placed on administrative leave, and the shooting officer has not been publicly identified.

Crump called on authorities to preserve and publicly release all footage of the encounter, including squad-car and bystander video. He also called for an examination as to whether deadly force was justified while Ruiz was on the ground. In a press conference with Ruiz’s family, Crump stated: “People all over America are shocked when they see the execution of Corey Ruiz, because they understand .. it was so unnecessary to execute him.” Ruiz’s mother, Elsa Ruiz, visibly shaken, recalled, “My son was an exceptional guy; he was my love. He loved his daughter [and] his family. He did not deserve to be taken out like that.” Ruiz’s daughter, Kah’liyah Ruiz, 13, also spoke out: “My heart [is] just so broken, and it just hurts so much knowing I can’t see my father anymore.” [MORE]