Wisconsin officer kills man armed with knife, police say, as shooting sparks protests
Category: News & Politics
Via: perrie-halpern • 4 months ago • 36 commentsBy: Phil Helsel
July 22, 2026, 9:06 PM EDT / Updated July 22, 2026, 11:04 PM EDTBy Phil Helsel and Marin Scott
A police officer fatally shot a man who was alleged to have pulled out a knife during a struggle as officers were looking into a report of someone "checking vehicle doors" Wednesday afternoon in Madison, Wisconsin, police said.
Police responded to the Marquette neighborhood about 1 p.m. after a report of someone checking parked cars, Madison Police Chief John Patterson said at a news conference. The person fled on a bicycle, but officers re-encountered him around 1:35 p.m., Patterson said.
The man "either fell off or was taken off of the bicycle by officers," and there was a struggle with police in the intersection, Patterson said.
"During the struggle, the man, we're told, pulled out a knife or produced a knife, a fixed-blade knife, and an officer was injured by this while attempting to arrest him," Patterson said.
The police department included a photo showing a knife on the ground in a news release about the deadly encounter.
Patterson said that a stun gun was used during the struggle but that it was not effectiveand that the officer who was injured by the knife was the officer who fired his gun.
Videos of the shooting were captured by bystanders and were circulated online. One of them, verified by NBC News, appears to show officers holding on to the man as someone yells, "Let go!" Multiple shouts of "He's got a knife!" can be heard.
The video also shows what appears to be an officer yelling "Taser!" as the man stands while being held by police. About three seconds later, while the man is on the ground, a male officer standing over him appears to fire three rounds, and the man stops moving.
Patterson said that he has seen some videos but added that other video has not been circulated online and is being reviewed.
"I caution everyone — this is one perspective," Patterson said. "It is not a full overview of everything that was visible from different angles, certainly visible from the officers."
The shooting was not captured on body camera video, which the Madison Police Department does not widely use.
"We do not have body cameras on any of the officers involved," Patterson said.
There was a 90-day body camera pilot program for the department in 2024, NBC affiliate WMTV of Madison reported at the time. Patterson has pushed for the cameras, calling them an "essential tool" for modern policing last month, local TV station WKOW reported, but funding has been an issue.
The person who was killed was not identified at Wednesday's news conference. He was described as a man in his 30s.
"I want to take a moment to honestly and sincerely offer my heartfelt sympathies to his family for this loss," Patterson said.
The police officer who fired was also not identified. Patterson said the officer is a man and "is what I would consider a veteran officer."
Madison Council Alder Davy Mayer, who represents the district where the shooting took place, said he was in contact with city officials and police about the incident.
"My priority is to make sure the community remains safe and that the public receives full details about what happened as soon as possible," Mayer said.
All four officers at the scene will be placed on administrative leave, which Patterson said was routine practice after a shooting involving police.
Michael Doubek, who recorded one of the videos showing the shooting, said he was returning from a co-op grocery store on Williamson Street when he saw police cruisers "flying by."
Doubek said the officers were struggling to restrain the person on the ground when one of the officers fired.
Doubek said that after the person was shot, he saw police toss a knife to the side as officers surrounded the person on the ground.
Video from a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter showed a large group of protesters walking down a street Wednesday evening. The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra announced that a planned outdoor performance had been canceled.
Police said that the state Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation will conduct an independent investigation and that the district attorney will conduct a review.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice said that its Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation but that it is being assisted by the Dane County Sheriff's Office, the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Sun Prairie Police Department.
"Involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation," the state justice department said.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said she was "angered and saddened by what happened today."
"Any officer-involved shooting needs to be rigorously investigated, and this one will be," Rhodes-Conway said in a statement. "While we do not yet know all the details, our community deserves full transparency and accountability."
Gov. Tony Evers said he's been briefed and expressed his condolences to the man's family.
"There must be transparency and accountability in any investigation moving forward," Evers said on X. "We will continue to keep the loved ones and family of the individual who was killed in our hearts and prayers. His life mattered."
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But HE PULLED A KNIFE !!!
We’ve seen progressives riot here becuase a knife wielding felon with a history of sexual assault was shot after trying to stab a responding police office while violating a an order of protection.
He was such a hero Biden visited him in the hospital.
Your rational arguments won’t matter if the hysteria sets in.
It is coming up on election time. It wouldn't be the first time the left rioted just before elections over a criminal.
Remember what Jasmine Crockett said:

"Rep. Jasmine Crockett spent two hours on her podcast defending convicted murderer Karmelo Anthony, claiming the knife that killed Austin Metcalf was not a deadly weapon, suggesting she would have stabbed Metcalf herself, and telling his grieving family they have never known real suffering."
Crockett Says Knife That Killed Austin Metcalf “Was Not a Deadly Weapon” – Daily Headlines
But it was big enough to kill Austin Metcalf.
Protesters are breaking up concerts and things of that nature in Madison
I've seen them try to do it a few times. It didn't end well for the protestors. They had to call the police for protection.
Sounds like another execution, by the injured officer no less.
Best to wait for all the evidence to be produced before making any judgement calls
Tell that to the animals who took to the streets after George Floyd's death.
The fact that some consider the protestors the 'animals' and not the white bigot who murdered a man with his knee says everything about those protecting and defending the disgusting white nationalist bigot filth in our society.
Were they related to the animals that took to the Capital building while actually assaulting dozens and dozens of police and security personnel?
Not in any way. The animals that rioted for 4 months as elected democrat officials stood by, killed about 2 dozen people. Many were college students. Few were ever held accountable.
What brings you here at this late hour?
Ah - right - the druggee who had a heart attack was murdered???
Kinda extrapolating numbers, eh?
Well at least two of the 17 deaths were attributed to Kye Rittenhouse. the police had a few and caused hundreds of injuries, very often to journalists and bystanders.
the fact that the protests spread to more than 2000 cities and included a lot of white people should give you a clue that this was a significant period, not determined by partisan BS.
I am always willing to show both sides of an issue in a non biased way.
In many ways Covid was a huge stressor that contributed to a perfect storm.
Yes, a jury found that the officer murdered the druggee by kneeling on George's neck for over nine minutes.
He is currenting incarcerated but appealing that the sentence is too long for the crime, not that he is innocent.
(He too apparently feels that he did society a solid.)
you are correct, I under extrapolated quite a bit.
So now they are animals?
Dehumanize much?
It is telling that you dehumanize the people who have legitimate claim to dissatisfaction with the police, yet you give a free pass to those who would trample under foot the rule of law in the name of a convicted felon and person who brags that he can grab women by the pussy....
And you have yet to see the problem in doing so.
Classic.
the true irony is trump sitting at the head table for the White House Correspondents Dinner by a banner about protecting free speech.
How many officers and secret service agents were injured during the George Floyd riots?
Start with the 180 who were injured during the assault on the White House….
More than 140 police officers were injured during the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and yet their attackers were pardoned and a slush fund set up to pay off the attackers. Fucking hypocrites.
They have zero actual principles. Their only reason for living is to bitch and complain about people they hate, mostly with falsehoods. Pathetic shitbags, not worth the air they breathe.
maybe I am missing some alternate facts?
Assault on the White House in 2020 Related to George Floyd’s Death
There was no documented assault on the White House in 2020 related to the killing of George Floyd . The events following Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis were centered on local police misconduct, national and international protests, and political responses — none of which involved any attack on the U.S. presidential complex.
What happened in 2020:
Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on his neck for over nine minutes while he was handcuffed and face-down Wikipedia .
The killing sparked massive protests across the U.S. and abroad, with demonstrations in over 2,000 cities and 60+ countries Wikipedia .
These protests were largely peaceful, though some turned violent in certain cities, leading to property damage, injuries, and arrests Wikipedia .
The Department of Justice later found that the Minneapolis Police Department had a “pattern or practice” of excessive force and discrimination against Black Americans The Guardian .
White House and national context:
The White House did not become a target of violence during the George Floyd protests.
President Donald Trump and other officials addressed the protests publicly, but there were no credible reports of assaults on the White House or its staff during that period.
The focus of the protests was on police reform, racial justice, and accountability for Floyd’s killing, not on the U.S. executive branch.
Conclusion:
While the George Floyd protests in 2020 were a major national and global event, there is no evidence of an assault on the White House . Any such claim would be unfounded and not supported by credible reports from that time.
....................
George Floyd protests in Washington, D.C.
George Floyd protests in Washington, D.C. - Wikipedia
The only mention of injuries was two National Guardsmen struck by lightning in June during weeks of on again, off again protests.
?
Those attackers were predominantly card carrying members of "white privilege" Christians. Jews need not apply.
... the self-chosen ones?
Right,,.. so that somehow justifies progressives injuring thousands of police during their George Floyd riots and then dropping prosecutions of almost every one who was arrested in jurisdictions they controlled.
funny, no complaints from maga when their savior does it ...
You are missing facts. what you are peddling is nonsense.
180 plus officers were injured in the assault on the white house that forced President Trump to enter the bunker for his safety.
I can't believed that got flushed down the progressive memory hole so fast.
Wow. So now you admit progressive activists discriminate against Jews. Progress I guess.
I will apologize for your confusion because you aren't following the thread correctly,
as DP was referencing the 173 Capital police and metro officers injured in the Jan 06 attack on the Capital to stop the Electoral Vote certification and
I responded to that, not your histrionincs.
There were zero progressive activists attacking the capital on Jan 06.
How many Jews were present, I don't know, we are a large and diverse community, much like any other white group until they figure out we are Jews.
Hardly
Oh is that supposed to be an insult?
LMAO.
[✘]
Are you Drunk?
According to ChatGPT:
thanks for highlighting what he said. I don't read his comments as they are useless and worthless and I saved myself a fuck off!
the original billboards on RT 45 in TX were damaged badly by a windstorm
Now one is like th
is
Now one looks like this
while the other side of the Highway says "Vote Trump"! Jews are God's chosen people, so it is our duty as Christians to support Israel 100%.
on my trips from colorado to the texas riviera, I'd usually travel from raton thru the panhandle to lubbock, and then meander south to junction to jump on I-10. I was always amused by the billboards that warned against bringing legal weed into texas and the next ones offering legal representation for doing it. then there was the obligatory pro-life billboards, probably sponsored by those that could care less about the 10 commandments in their business practices. you'd be hard pressed to find a town on that route that didn't feature a cross on a hill that could be seen from any home in town when it was lit up at night.
I will apologize for your confusion because you aren't following the thread correctly,
as DP was referencing the 173 Capital police and metro officers injured in the Jan 06 attack on the Capital to stop the Electoral Vote certification and
I responded to that, not your histrionics. But thanks for jumping in again.
There were zero progressive activists attacking the capital on Jan 06. And zero patriots as far as I'm concerned.
How many Jews were present, I don't know, we are a large and diverse community, much like any other white group until they figure out we are Jewish...
Hardly
Oh is that supposed to be an insult?
LMAO.