MADISON, Wis. — Madison police and other city agencies began clearing the encampment Tuesday at the site where Corey Ruiz was shot and killed by a police officer. Williamson Street reopened to traffic just after 9 a.m.<\/p>\n
Madison Police Department spokesperson Stephanie Fryer told News 3 Now that, at around 5 a.m. Tuesday, city officials entered the encampment at the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin streets with a bullhorn and asked people to gather their belongings and leave.<\/p>\n
Fryer said that people in the encampment lit three fires, leading Madison Fire Department and police personnel to intervene. Some people grabbed candles from the memorial dedicated to Ruiz and threw them in the air, while others in the encampment tried to stop them.<\/p>\n
A News 3 Now crew witnessed troopers from the Wisconsin State Patrol controlling traffic in the area. Fryer confirmed personnel from Madison’s Streets, City Planning, Parking and CARES divisions all responded to the area.<\/p>\n
Fryer said four people had been detained during the clear-out as of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. That number had risen to six by 6:40 a.m. By 7 a.m., 10 people were detained. Fryer said a “core group” of people was blocking access to the memorial. That group risked police detention if they did not move.<\/p>\n
One protester was injured and taken to a hospital for treatment. Another protester was hurt but declined treatment. A Madison Fire Department spokesperson said a city employee “experienced a medical event” but could not provide further details.<\/p>\n
People living in the encampment were given the option of being taken by bus to local hotels for shelting. Personal belongings from the encampment were being taken to Demetral Field at 601 N 6th St.<\/p>\n
The clear-out comes nearly two weeks after a Madison police officer shot and killed 38-year-old Corey Ruiz. Police said Ruiz was “checking vehicles” before his encounter with officers and used a knife to injure one of the four officers attempting to take him into custody.<\/p>\n
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is evaluating the evidence in the shooting and will turn over its findings to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office, who will make a decision on whether charges will be filed against the officers involved in the shooting.<\/p>\n
The encampment was set up within a day after the shooting, with those in the encampment area calling for the officer who shot Ruiz to be charged with murder.<\/p>\n
Streets around the encampment were barricaded and forced to close, causing problems for businesses and those living in the area. Last week, city officials including Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway called for protesters to take the encampment down.<\/p>\n