A Madison, Wisconsin, police officer fatally shot a man during a struggle on a city street Wednesday, prompting an independent state investigation and protests near the Wisconsin Capitol.

Police Chief John Patterson said officers had responded shortly before 1 p.m. to reports of a person attempting to enter parked vehicles in a neighborhood less than two miles from the state Capitol. The man reportedly fled on a bicycle through nearby backyards before officers confronted him.

Police say officer was injured with knife

According to Patterson, the man either fell from the bicycle or was pulled from it, and a physical struggle followed. Police said he produced a knife and injured one officer. A Taser was deployed but did not stop the confrontation, the chief said.

The injured officer then fired his gun. The man, described by police as being in his 30s, was taken to a hospital and later died. His name had not been released when ABC News reported the incident. A second officer was also injured, though officials had not determined how.

Bystander footage prompts protests

Cellphone video circulated online showing part of the confrontation and capturing the sound of three gunshots. Patterson cautioned that the footage represented only one perspective and did not show the entire encounter.

Residents gathered near the scene for a vigil before protesters marched toward the state Capitol, calling for transparency and accountability. A scheduled outdoor concert was canceled after demonstrators took the stage.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation will lead the review. All four responding officers are being placed on administrative leave under department policy.

Source: ABC News. Reporting published July 22, 2026.