Statement of Mayor Paul Soglin on Officer-Involved Shooting

Last night, at the scene of the shooting, I said this is a tragedy beyond description.  Today, we begin what will be a difficult period for our City.  Madisonians honor and respect the young life of Anthony Robinson.  I say this without knowledge of the indispensable facts of what happened Friday night but out of respect for the dignity of every person.
 
His mother and father, siblings, relatives and friends lost a loved one.  His parents are living their worst nightmare.  Our hearts, our thoughts go out to the family and friends who are grieving.
 
Our community has many questions, questions that I share.  There will be answers.  There is a new State law that mandates an independent investigation into officer involved shootings.  Investigators from the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation were on the scene immediately last night.  We must give them time to do their job.
 
I met members of the family and members of the community who were at the scene last night and heard their concerns.  I talked to Chief Koval and discussed those concerns, while offering support for our police officers and the difficult public service they perform every day.  The Madison Police Department has a well-earned reputation as one of the finest departments in the Country.
 
We all deserve to know the facts in this case.  Tony Robinson’s family deserves that, our community deserves that, and the Madison Police deserve that.  When the answers come, we will be open and transparent in communicating them.
 
Our police officers serve us with respect, valor, and dignity. A few hours earlier, they were faced with hostile gunfire and managed to end that confrontation safely.
 
On this, the anniversary of the first March on Selma, let us remember the words of Dr. King 50 years ago: “The road ahead is not altogether a smooth one.  There are no broad highways that lead us easily and inevitably to quick solutions.  But we must keep going.”
 
The City of Madison, our police officers, our community, and I must and will keep moving forward with compassion, with understanding, with a commitment to facing the facts, finding the truth, and making necessary changes to ensure this great City is always more equitable and just.