Omar Waheed contributed to this report.
A “veteran” Madison police officer shot and killed a man Wednesday afternoon at the corner of Baldwin and Williamson Streets, MPD Chief John Patterson confirmed in a press briefing.
Patterson said the man was believed to be “checking” parked cars when police made contact with him, and he fled on a bicycle. Cell phone video shows officers knocking him off of that bicycle at the corner of Baldwin and Williamson.
Patterson said he then produced a “fixed blade knife,” and that one officer was injured with that knife. Officers then used a tazer to attempt to subdue the man, and the same officer who was injured fired three shots about five seconds later. The man was transported to a hospital where he died.
Patterson did not identify the man except to say he was in his 30s, nor did he identify the officer who fired his weapon, except to say he was a veteran officer.
Patterson said the state Department of Criminal Investigation would lead the investigation into the shooting, and that he would fully cooperate with the Office of the Independent Monitor.
The Police Civilian Oversight Board, which oversees the OIM, will host a press conference at 6 pm.
Patterson acknowledged that today’s shooting happened in the same neighborhood where a Madison police officer killed Tony Robinson in 2015.
“I ask that everyone in our community please keep this this particular neighborhood and the historical trauma, including today, in mind,” he said.
He also noted that cell phone video circulating online showed “a perspective,” and asked the community to remain patient until all information can be gathered.
We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
