Daijiworld Media Network – Madison
Madison, Jul 23: A man in his 30s was fatally shot by a police officer during a struggle in Madison, Wisconsin, on Wednesday after he allegedly produced a knife while officers were attempting to arrest him, authorities said.
Police responded to the Marquette neighbourhood around 1 pm following reports of a person checking the doors of parked vehicles, Madison Police Chief John Patterson told reporters.
The suspect fled on a bicycle but was located again about 35 minutes later. According to Patterson, the man either fell or was taken off the bicycle by officers, leading to a struggle at an intersection.
"During the struggle, the man, we're told, pulled out a knife or produced a fixed-blade knife, and an officer was injured while attempting to arrest him," Patterson said.
Police released a photograph showing a knife recovered from the scene.
Authorities said officers also deployed a Taser during the confrontation, but it was ineffective. The injured officer subsequently opened fire.
Videos of the incident, recorded by bystanders and circulated on social media, appear to show officers restraining the man while voices can be heard shouting, "He's got a knife!" Moments later, an officer appears to fire three shots after the man falls to the ground.
Patterson urged the public not to draw conclusions based solely on the circulating footage.
"I caution everyone — this is one perspective. It is not a full overview of everything that was visible from different angles, certainly visible from the officers," he said.
The chief confirmed that none of the officers involved were equipped with body-worn cameras, as the Madison Police Department has not widely implemented the technology.
"We do not have body cameras on any of the officers involved," Patterson said.
He noted that the department conducted a 90-day body camera pilot programme in 2024 and has advocated for wider deployment, though funding has remained a challenge.
Neither the deceased man nor the officer who fired the fatal shots has been publicly identified. Patterson described the officer as a veteran member of the force.
"I want to honestly and sincerely offer my heartfelt sympathies to his family for this loss," the police chief said.
All four officers present at the scene have been placed on administrative leave, in line with department policy following officer-involved shootings.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is leading an independent investigation into the shooting, with assistance from the Dane County Sheriff's Office, Wisconsin State Patrol and Sun Prairie Police Department. The Dane County District Attorney will also review the case.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said she was "angered and saddened" by the incident and called for a thorough investigation.
"Any officer-involved shooting needs to be rigorously investigated, and this one will be. While we do not yet know all the details, our community deserves full transparency and accountability," she said.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers also expressed condolences to the man's family and stressed the need for transparency.
"There must be transparency and accountability in any investigation moving forward," Evers said in a post on X. "We will continue to keep the loved ones and family of the individual who was killed in our hearts and prayers. His life mattered."
Protests were held in Madison on Wednesday evening following the shooting, while a scheduled outdoor performance by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra was cancelled.