The family of Corey Ruiz stepped into the public eye for the first time on Friday, sharing their grief and demanding answers following his fatal shooting by a Madison police officer earlier this week. During an emotional press conference attended by civil rights attorney Ben Crump and State Representative Shelia Stubbs, those closest to Ruiz painted a portrait of a man defined by kindness, humor, and an unwavering love for his family. His mother, Elsa Ruiz, struggled through tears as she described her son as an exceptional person who did not deserve to have his life taken in such a violent manner.

For Kah’liyah Ruiz, the loss is an unbearable void. Speaking with raw emotion, she recounted the devastating moment she learned her father had been killed, describing a sense of total helplessness and heartbreak. She shared that the pain of knowing she will never see him again is overwhelming, adding that her heart was simply broken by the suddenness of the tragedy.

The incident occurred at a busy intersection on the city’s near-east side and has since sparked intense scrutiny due to bystander footage. While Madison police claim that Ruiz produced a fixed blade knife that injured an officer during a struggle, the available video tells a different story for some observers. The clip shows Ruiz already on the ground before three shots are fired by an officer standing above him. Attorney Ben Crump characterized the event as an execution and argued that without the existence of civilian video, the official narrative might have looked very different.

In light of the shooting, the family and their legal team are using this tragedy to push for systemic change within the department. Because Madison police officers currently do not wear body cameras, Crump and the Ruiz family are calling for their immediate installation to ensure transparency and accountability moving forward. As they mourn their loss, they remain steadfast in their demand for justice for Corey.