MOSES Statement about the Killing of Corey Ruiz
July 23, 2026
by Saundra Brown, MOSES President
MOSES grieves the killing of Corey Ruiz by a Madison police officer, who shot and killed him on July 22 in broad daylight on Williamson Street in Madison. We lift up our prayers and support for the family, friends and neighbors of Mr. Ruiz and for the impact on the community, which once again is suffering the traumatic killing of a Black man at the hands of police.
We call on the Madison Police Department to fully investigate and disclose the circumstances of this tragic loss of life. We call for full adherence to use of lethal force policies, de-escalation training, enforcement of the practices called for by these policies and training, and evaluation of reforms needed to protect all members of our community from unnecessary violence and use of lethal force by MPD. And we call for full police transparency and accountability for the death.
We commit to continue our efforts to understand, support, and advocate for systemic improvements in local, statewide, and national policies to reduce the use of lethal force. MOSES will continue to focus our advocacy work on the local and State of Wisconsin standard operating procedures and the realities of training and adherence to policy by local law enforcement.
We call on MPD to abide by policies pertaining to use of force and de-escalation practices and to hold officers accountable, especially when it involves killing members of our society. Further, we fully support the Office of the Independent Police Monitor in their investigation of this killing and urge the police chief to cooperate fully with their investigation. We also call on the Madison Common Council to fully support the OIPM independence and funding as currently provided by Madison Ordinance. This tragedy underscores the need for an independent police monitor and civilian oversight board.
May Corey Ruiz rest in peace and may justice prevail in the aftermath of his tragic loss of life.