Madison police officer fatally shoots man wielding large knife after taser attempt
A Madison police officer shot and killed a man in his 30s who produced a large fixed-blade knife during an attempted arrest; the officer and three other officers have been placed on leave while the state investigation proceeds.
A Madison police officer shot and killed a man after the suspect produced a large fixed-blade knife, police chief John Patterson said. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Marquette neighborhood, after officers responded to a call about a man checking cars. The suspect fled on a bicycle, was pursued, and when officers attempted to arrest him he displayed the knife.
Patterson said a Taser was deployed but was ineffective, and the officer who fired the shots was injured by the knife. Four officers were involved in the encounter; all have been placed on administrative leave while the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation reviews the case.
Two by-standers recorded video of the shooting. One video shows police arriving, the suspect falling from his bike, officers on the ground with the suspect, and an officer firing multiple rounds. A second video captured an officer tasing the suspect, then firing three shots at close range while the suspect was on the ground.
The police department notified the deceased’s family but did not release his name or race. The area was cordoned off after the shooting. In a news conference, Patterson asked residents to reflect on the incident and offered condolences to the family. He also referenced a 2015 police shooting in the same neighborhood, noting the area’s history of trauma. Madison Alder Davy Mayer said the priority is community safety and timely public information.