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Madison, Wisconsin, police officer fatally shoots man with knife

AP News • July 22, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

A Madison police officer fatally shot a man in his 30s who had injured the officer with a knife while resisting arrest, according to Police Chief John Patterson.
The incident occurred in a busy neighborhood near the state Capitol, with cellphone video capturing three gunshots and bystanders observing the event.
The man killed was reportedly Black, prompting community outcry and protests, with advocates condemning the use of state violence.
Police responded to reports of a suspect attempting to enter parked vehicles; after a pursuit and struggle involving a knife and a taser, the officer fired his weapon, resulting in the suspect's death.
The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation will conduct an independent probe into the shooting, as it involves law enforcement officers.