Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong called the police killing of a Madison resident an “execution,” while presumptive GOP nominee Tom Tiffany pushed back on “rushing to judgment.”

All but one gubernatorial candidate called for a probe into the killing, which took place early Wednesday afternoon at an intersection on the capital city’s Williamson Street.

Video shared widely online of the killing shows police wrestling a Black man to the ground and deploying a Taser before one officer draws his gun and fires several rounds at the man at point-blank range.

The shooting victim has been identified as Madison resident Corey Ruiz, 38. Police officials said that Ruiz had brandished a knife and injured an officer with the weapon before he was shot.

The officer who filed the fatal shots has not been identified, but Madison Police Chief John Patterson noted in a press conference that the officer’s name would eventually be released per police protocol.  

The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation announced it was investigating the killing in a press release Wednesday. 

Protestors gathered at the Madison east side intersection after the killing took place and then marched to the state Capitol two miles away, shutting down a planned outdoor concert held on Capitol grounds. 

Hong, a state Assembly member who represents the district where the killing occurred, joined protestors at the site of the shooting Wednesday afternoon. 

“This state-sanctioned violence was an execution,” Hong told protestors. “We no longer can have a system that protects a power and a prevalence that puts the pain and lives of armed officers over Black people.”

Hong released a statement Wednesday evening calling for a “truly independent and transparent investigation” while repeating her characterization of the shooting as an execution.

“We cannot allow officials to hide behind procedure, delay the truth, or treat this killing as routine,” she said. 

Tiffany, a congressman from Minocqua, wrote on X yesterday that “any loss of life is tragic, and my prayers are with everyone involved” and noted that the state Legislature had passed laws requiring independent investigations of police killings when he served in state government. 

He appeared to take a shot at Hong, writing that “we should allow that process to establish the facts without politicians rushing to judgment or stoking division.” His post included video taken by a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter of Hong’s remarks to protestors. 

Kelda Roys, another Dem guv candidate who represents Madison’s east side in the state Senate, said on X, “We must create a more fair, safe world.”

“We do not know all the facts but we do know that his life mattered and that it is the responsibility of law enforcement to do everything possible to avoid violence,” Roys said in a statement. “Everyone involved deserves the presumption of innocence and a thorough investigation.” 

The three Milwaukee-area Dems in the governor’s race also called for a transparent investigation. 

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley called the shooting “painfully reminiscent of the tragedies we have witnessed in Kenosha, Minneapolis and far too many communities across our country,” while former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes wrote he was “deeply disturbed and pained” by footage of the killing.  

Former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan wrote on X, “To the family, to the community gathered on Williamson Street tonight, and to everyone who is hurting right now — you are not alone. Wisconsin is with you.”

GOP gubernatorial candidate Andy Manske did not address the killing directly but criticized Hong’s response, calling her appearance before protestors “performative i’m with you imagery” on X.

Gov. Tony Evers, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, and U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan and Gwen Moore all made statements calling for an investigation. Baldwin hails from Madison, while Pocan represents the city in Congress.