Des Moines police police shoot man after stabbing of security officer
DES MOINES, Iowa
The suspect in a stabbing on Des Moines’ north side has died after being shot by officers, the Des Moines Police Department says.
Officers were dispatched just before 4 p.m. to the Polk County Life Services Center at 1914 Carpenter Avenue after receiving a report that a security officer had been stabbed, according to DMPD Sgt. Paul Parizek.
One of the first calls reported that a security officer was being attacked, and a following call reported that the security officer had been stabbed.
A release from Parizek says when the first officer arrived on scene, staff directed attention to a 24-year-old male outside of the building.
Despite the officer providing instructions to him, the suspect walked into the roadway as two additional officers arrived. He was observed to be carrying a knife when one officer deployed a taser as the suspect approached, but it was ultimately ineffective at stopping him.
“There was an attempt to de-escalate that situation,” Parizek said. “We know there was a Taser deployed, and unfortunately, that person advanced on those officers and was shot by them.”
Parizek said the suspect also made statements to the officers that he was not going to surrender.
After being shocked with a stun gun, the suspect increased his pace, advancing at officers with the knife, before two officers fired their guns and hit him.
Officers provided first aid until medics with the Des Moines Fire Department arrived and took over care and the security officer.
Both were in critical condition and transported to nearby hospitals, where the suspect ultimately died and the security officer remains in critical condition.
“Right now, we understand that it’s a terrible tragedy for a lot of people involved,” Parizek said.
He said the security officer works at the Polk County Life Services facility, the location where the incident happened, but police aren’t sure yet of the circumstances around the encounter with the security officer and the suspect.
Parizek said the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will be brought in to investigate the incident and the officers’ use of force. Per policy, the involved officers are on administrative assignment. This is standard for employees who’ve experienced trauma or a significant event on-duty.
“We are also aware that there is a video floating around on social media that depicts this incident,” he said.
He asks any witnesses who haven’t already spoken with investigators to please call 515-283-4811.
