MEDIA RELEASE: 05/13/20
RELEASED BY: Chief Michael Tupper
MARSHALLTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICER INVOLVED - SHOOTING INVESTIGATION
On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at approximately 4:20 a.m., the Marshalltown Police Department responded to the 200 block of North 5th Street and the 500-600 block of Summit Street to investigate a reported disturbance and suspicious activity involving a man who allegedly was armed with a firearm. The Marshall County 911 Communications Center received multiple 911 calls about a subject attempting to break into at least one residence on North 5th Street. The Marshall County 911 Center also received information about a man who was pointing the gun toward a house. An additional 911 report was received from a residence in the 100 block of North 3rd Street from a victim who reported a subject broke into his apartment and assaulted the victim.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a male in the 600 block of Summit. This male refused to comply with officer commands. The subject aggressively charged two separate police officers while refusing all commands to stop and comply. During this physical altercation, officers attempted to control this subject with an Electronic Control Device (Taser). This effort was unsuccessful. The subject charged toward an armed police officer and was subsequently shot. Preliminary information indicates the subject was shot one time and suffered a gunshot wound just below the waist. Police officers took immediate action to provide medical treatment to the subject on scene. The subject was taken from the scene by ambulance to a medical facility in Marshalltown. The subject was subsequently transported to a medical facility in the Des Moines metro. Preliminary information indicates this subject sustained a non-life threatening injury. The subject has been identified as a 17-year-old male who resides in Marshalltown.
The Marshalltown Police Department has requested investigative assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Doing so is standard practice whenever a member of the Marshalltown Police Department is involved in an on-duty shooting incident. The Marshall County Attorney’s Office is also assisting with this investigation. The Marshalltown Fire Department, Unity Point-Marshalltown Ambulance Service, and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office all responded to this incident and assisted with the initial calls for service.
The officer involved in the shooting was not injured. That officer has been placed on paid administrative leave while this investigation is ongoing. This is also standard practice. The name of the officer and the 17-year-old male is not being released at this time.
Chief of Police Michael W. Tupper stated, “This shooting incident will be thoroughly investigated. We have asked the Iowa DCI to conduct an independent investigation of these events. Based upon the preliminary information available, it seems clear our police officers were confronted with a dangerous situation and were forced to take action to defend themselves from a violent threat. We will devote all resources to this investigation to make sure all questions are answered and a thorough investigation is completed.”
This is an ongoing police investigation. More details will be released as they become known. No other suspects are being sought at this time. There is no information to believe the public is in danger because of this incident. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Marshalltown Police Department at 641.754.5725.
For more information, please contact Police Chief Michael Tupper by calling 641-754-5771 or via email at mtupper@marshalltown-ia.gov.
(A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.)