A Madison police officer fatally shot a man in his 30s after the suspect allegedly injured the officer with a knife while resisting arrest, Police Chief John Patterson announced Wednesday.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the man who died.
During a news conference, Patterson expressed his condolences to the man’s family.
“I want to take a moment to honestly and sincerely offer my heartfelt sympathies to his family for this loss,” the chief said.
Cellphone Video Circulates on Social Media
Cellphone footage of the incident began spreading across social media shortly after the shooting. Three gunshots can be heard in the publicly shared recording.
However, Patterson cautioned that the circulating clip represents only one viewpoint. He said investigators have access to additional footage that has not been posted online and urged the public to remain calm while authorities review all available evidence.
The chief added that the community does not yet have a complete picture of the confrontation.
Shooting Occurred in Busy Madison Neighborhood
The shooting happened on a city street in a popular Madison neighborhood containing restaurants, bars, shops and residential properties. The location is less than two miles from the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Video from the scene showed several vehicles stopped near the intersection while bystanders watched the incident unfold.
The same street was the site of another fatal police shooting in 2015. In that case, a white officer shot and killed Tony Robinson, a biracial man. The incident led to major demonstrations across Madison.
Prosecutors declined to charge the officer after determining the use of force was justified. Robinson’s family later accepted a $3.35 million settlement from the city in 2017.
Community Advocates and Protesters Respond
Police did not disclose the race of the officer who fired the shots or the man who was killed. However, Madison Black community advocates identified the deceased man as Black.
Brandi Grayson, who leads the Madison-based advocacy organization Urban Triage, said the community witnessed another Black man die before learning his identity. She described the incident as an example of state violence.
A crowd gathered near the shooting scene Wednesday, with some participants chanting, “Arrest the cops.” Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong was among those who joined demonstrators during the night.
Patterson said police would support lawful gatherings and demonstrations while working with community members and local leaders to prevent unnecessary tension.
Governor Calls for Transparency and Accountability
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said on social media that he had been briefed about the officer-involved shooting and would continue receiving updates as new information became available.
Evers emphasized that the investigation must be conducted with transparency and accountability.
Police Say Suspect Fled on Bicycle
According to Patterson, officers initially responded to reports of someone attempting to enter parked vehicles in the neighborhood.
The suspect allegedly fled on a bicycle through nearby backyards before officers confronted him in the street. Police said the man either fell from the bicycle or was removed from it by officers.
During the struggle, the suspect reportedly produced a knife and injured one of the officers.
An officer attempted to use a Taser, but it was unsuccessful. The officer who had been injured with the knife then fired his gun, striking the suspect.
The man was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Police Describe Weapon as Large Fixed-Blade Knife
Patterson described the officer who fired the shots as a veteran member of the department but did not provide further identifying information.
The chief said the presence of a knife significantly increased the danger of the situation and limited the available options for both officers and the suspect.
He also stated that the weapon was not a small folding knife but a large fixed-blade knife. Police are expected to release a photograph of the weapon later.
Patterson said witnesses reportedly observed parts of the confrontation and urged the public to allow investigators time to review testimony, recordings and other evidence.
Four Officers Placed on Administrative Leave
A second officer was also injured during the incident, although authorities have not explained how the injury occurred. Police do not believe that officer was injured by the knife.
Two additional officers at the scene were not hurt.
All four officers involved will be placed on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated. The move is standard department procedure following an officer-involved shooting.
Because the incident involved law enforcement officers, the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation will lead the independent investigation.
The fatal Madison police shooting has renewed public demands for transparency, accountability and a complete review of all available evidence.
While cellphone footage has circulated widely, authorities have stressed that additional recordings and witness statements must be examined before investigators can determine the full sequence of events.