State investigators review fatal Madison police shooting on Williamson Street | The Locally Times
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation assumed control after officers shot a man on July 22.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) initiated an independent probe into a fatal police shooting that occurred July 22, 2026, at the intersection of Williamson and S. Baldwin Streets. The incident occurred at 1:35 p.m. and resulted in the death of a man in his thirties, who died at a local hospital after a physical struggle with Madison Police Department officers. ## Incident Details Madison Police Department incident reports state that officers responded to the Marquette neighborhood to investigate reports of a man stealing bicycles and checking vehicle doors. Officers intercepted the individual at the intersection of S. Baldwin and Williamson Streets after he fled on a bicycle through residential backyards. During the subsequent struggle, the man produced a fixed-blade knife and injured one officer. Four officers were involved in or witnessed the incident. Officers attempted to use a taser, but the device failed to de-escalate the situation. The injured officer fired his weapon, and a second officer sustained injuries of an unspecified nature. ## Investigation Status The Wisconsin DCI serves as the lead agency for the investigation. The Madison Police Department placed all four involved officers on administrative leave. As of July 23, 2026, the Madison Police Department has not released the name of the deceased man. While police reports confirm the man was on a bicycle, the records do not specify whether he fell or was pulled from the bicycle by officers before the altercation began. The department is reviewing unreleased video evidence to establish a timeline of events. ## Traffic Impact The investigation forced the closure of Williamson Street between S. Dickinson Street and S. Few Street. Madison Traffic Engineering closed the road through the morning of July 23, 2026. The department placed message boards and signage to alert commuters to the scene. The city has not provided a specific time for the reopening of the street beyond the mid-morning estimate for July 23. ## Official Response Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway issued a statement on July 22, 2026, regarding the incident. Common Council President Sabrina Madison is organizing a community listening session, though the city has not released a date or time for the event as of July 23. ## Key Questions **When will Williamson Street reopen to traffic?** The city scheduled the closure of Williamson Street between S. Dickinson and S. Few Streets through the mid-morning of July 23, 2026. **Who is investigating the shooting?** The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting the investigation because the incident involved Madison Police Department officers.