DES MOINES, Iowa – A police officer in Iowa has been shot and a suspect is dead after an exchange of gunfire early Tuesday morning on the city’s south side, according to reports.
Sgt. Paul Parizek, spokesperson for the Des Moines Police Department, said officers were responding to a report of a domestic dispute involving a no-contact order in the 5800 block of SE 35th Circle around 3:32 a.m., reported WHO 13 Des Moines.
At approximately 3:53 a.m., responding officers saw the suspect’s vehicle driving in the area and tried to stop it. However, the suspect failed to yield to authorities and fled west on E. Army Post Road before leaving the roadway and coming to a stop in the 4300 block about five minutes later.
After the vehicle came to rest, the suspect discharged a weapon at officers, who returned fire.
As the gun battle took place, a police officer was struck in the chest and the gunman was killed, according to Sgt. Parizek. The sergeant also said another officer was “down.”
“Suspect came out, fired on the officers, they returned fire. So, he’s dead. And the officer is at the hospital, and we’ve got another officer that’s down at the police station,” said Sgt. Parizek.
The Des Moines Police Department said the wounded officer is a 37-year-old male with four years of experience. He is in critical condition at a local hospital, KCCI reported.
“Pretty serious condition. The hospital is working on him doing everything they can right now. Right now he’s probably still in critical condition we’re just hoping and praying for the best,” said Sgt. Parizek.
“Right now, everybody needs to just be praying,” the sergeant noted, while saying the wounded officer was wearing a ballistic vest.
The name of the deceased suspect has not yet been released.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will handle the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
