MADISON, WISCONSIN – JULY 23: People attend a rally at the intersection where Corey Ruiz was shot and killed yesterday by Madison Police on July 23, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. Ruiz was killed following brief altercation with police during which police reported he brandished a knife. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Wisconsin DOJ identifies officer that shot and killed Corey Ruiz in Madison
Aug 10, 2026, 12:20 PM CT
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The Wisconsin Department of Justice has identified the Madison police officer that shot and killed 38-year-old Corey Ruiz as Kiel Baitinger-Peterson.
The shooting took place July 22 in Madison and was captured on video, which showed Baitinger-Peterson discharging three rounds into Ruiz as he lay in the street after a scuffle where tasers were deployed and after Ruiz stabbed two officers, according to authorities.
The killing sparked protests in the city and led to a dayslong encampment at the scene of the shooting, which has since been removed following mass arrests by Madison police.
Police responded to a call of a person checking parked vehicles and an alleged burglary attempt when Ruiz fled on a bike, according to authorities. Police caught up with Ruiz at Baldwin and Williamson streets before the struggle ensued. Police said a knife was recovered.
Police said in addition to Baitinger-Peterson, another officer was hospitalized following the incident and has since been released. All four officers involved in the incident remain on leave.
Baitinger-Peterson is described by the DOJ as having 10 years and 10 months of law enforcement experience.
The DOJ is continuing to investigate the shooting.
Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist who has worked for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin State Journal, Newsweek, Heavy and The Sporting News. He is a northside Milwaukee native, former political staffer and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the University of Nebraska.
