A man allegedly armed with a knife was fatally shot by police in the middle of a Madison intersection, authorities said, sparking protests and igniting public anger.
The incident occurred early Wednesday afternoon in Madison’s Marquette neighborhood.
Madison Police Chief John Patterson described the deceased during a press conference as a man in his 30s.
He said officers had been called to Marquette at about noon over reports of a man inspecting parked cars.
On arrival, officers attempted to contact the man, who allegedly fled the scene on a bicycle, Patterson said. Officers encountered him again at about 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Baldwin and Williamson streets, where the man either fell or was removed from the bicycle by police.
“That’s still being determined,” Patterson said.
What Patterson described as a “physical struggle” ensued, during which the man allegedly pulled a knife, injuring one of four officers who were attempting to conduct an arrest.
One officer deployed a Taser to no effect, he said. The injured officer then fired his service weapon, striking the man, according to Patterson, who said the man was transported to an area hospital “where he tragically passed away from his injuries.”
Video of the incident shot by a bystander and posted online shows three officers attempting to restrain the man as he is on his knees in the middle of the intersection. A fourth officer runs to the scene, and yells “Taser” three times before seemingly deploying the less-lethal weapon. The man momentarily stands before the three officers pull him to the ground. As the man is on his side on the ground, one officer shoots him at close range. Three gunshots are heard.
Patterson said police are aware of the video.
“I ask the community to recognize that there is other video that they have not seen, that’s not circulating online, that will be reviewed as part of this investigation,” he said. “So to the extent that we can as we all navigate this trauma together we try to remain calm and remember that not all perspectives are online right now.”
He said none of the officers were equipped with body cameras. A second officer was also injured during the incident, but Patterson said it was unclear how. The severity of either police officer’s injuries was not immediately clear.
The four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, he said, while describing the male officer who fired on the man as a “veteran” of the force.
He said the man’s family had been notified of his death.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation will be investigating, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in a statement, while stating she is “angered and saddened” by the shooting.
“There is real pain in our city right now. It’s an absolute tragedy when a member of our community is killed by anyone, but especially by the police,” she said.
“I understand the anger, grief and fear people are feeling — because I am feeling that, too. As a city, as a community, we need to do better.”
She added that the fatal shooting with be “rigorously investigated.”
State Rep. Francesca Hong, a Democrat who is running for governor, said the police officer had “shot and killed a Black man” blocks from her campaign office and near where a Madison police officer killed Tony Robinson, an unarmed Black 19-year-old, in March 2015.
“This was an execution, and it never should have happened,” she said in a statement.
“Madison police must immediately preserve and release all body-camera, dash-camera and surveillance footage. Officials must answer the public about what officers knew, why they were unable to de-escalate the situation safely and why an officer used deadly force against a man who was surrounded and appeared to be restrained.”
“Yet another Black family has lost a son to police violence. How many more must suffer before we stop it? His life mattered. He deserves justice.”
Protesters gathered Wednesday evening on Williamson Street and at Capitol Square.
The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, which was to perform at Capitol Square, canceled its Wednesday night performance.
