Two Des Moines police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in November's deadly shooting of an armed 70-year-old man in a wheelchair.Shortly after 6 a.m. on Nov. 26, Des Moines police officers were called to the Elsie Mason Manor apartment complex by the building's receptionist. A resident also called 911 and told officers the receptionist was being held at gunpoint by Charles Alan Leonard III, a 70-year-old resident in the building. Officers say they cleared out the lobby where Leonard was holding a gun before turning to Leonard, who they say raised a gun at officers. Officers opened fire, and Leonard died from multiple gunshot wounds.Investigators found Leonard's gun was an airsoft gun missing the orange tip. Leonard was allegedly described as suicidal leading up to the confrontation, and investigators say he was not taking prescribed medication for mental health issues.On Thursday, Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham released a letter to Des Moines Police Chief Michael McTaggart, stating that the officers' use of deadly force was justified under Iowa law and no charges will be filed against them."Given all the circumstances, it was reasonable for Officer (Lanny) Herzog and Officer (Christian) Bishop to conclude that their lives, the lives of other offices on scene, and the lives of everyone in the building and area were in imminent danger at the time the deadly force was used," Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham wrote in a letter to Des Moines police chief Michael McTaggart. The Iowa attorney general's office said last week that the officers were justified in using lethal force.DMPD released this statement from chief Michael McTaggart:"Protecting our community is our greatest responsibility, and it is always our goal to first respond to crisis situations with efforts to negotiate and de-escalate. Unfortunately, there are occasions where safety and circumstances limit the de-escalation process."We will continue to provide our officers with the best training to respond to the wide range of challenging circumstances as they serve our neighborhoods, and support our community partners in their efforts to connect those in need with the mental health resources they need."» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from vlogThis was one of three deadly police shootings in Des Moines in 2024, all of which have been ruled legally justified by the Iowa Attorney General.Watch a summary video of the incident from the Des Moines Police Department.
DES MOINES, Iowa — Two Des Moines police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in November's deadly shooting of an armed 70-year-old man in a wheelchair.
Shortly after 6 a.m. on Nov. 26, Des Moines police officers were called to the Elsie Mason Manor apartment complex by the building's receptionist. A resident also called 911 and told officers the receptionist was being held at gunpoint by Charles Alan Leonard III, a 70-year-old resident in the building.
Officers say they cleared out the lobby where Leonard was holding a gun before turning to Leonard, who they say raised a gun at officers. Officers opened fire, and Leonard died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators found Leonard's gun was an airsoft gun missing the orange tip. Leonard was allegedly described as suicidal leading up to the confrontation, and investigators say he was not taking prescribed medication for mental health issues.
On Thursday, Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham released a letter to Des Moines Police Chief Michael McTaggart, stating that the officers' use of deadly force was justified under Iowa law and no charges will be filed against them.
"Given all the circumstances, it was reasonable for Officer (Lanny) Herzog and Officer (Christian) Bishop to conclude that their lives, the lives of other offices on scene, and the lives of everyone in the building and area were in imminent danger at the time the deadly force was used," Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham wrote in a letter to Des Moines police chief Michael McTaggart.
Des Moines Police Department
Charles Alan Leonard III, 70, is seen holding a gun in this screenshot of a video taken Nov. 26, 2024, inside the Elsie Mason Manor apartment complex in Des Moines. Leonard was shot and killed by police, who later determined the gun to be a Beretta replica soft-air pistol that was missing the orange tip that would indicate the gun is a toy or imitation firearm.
The Iowa attorney general's office said last week that the officers were justified in using lethal force.
DMPD released this statement from chief Michael McTaggart:
"Protecting our community is our greatest responsibility, and it is always our goal to first respond to crisis situations with efforts to negotiate and de-escalate. Unfortunately, there are occasions where safety and circumstances limit the de-escalation process.
"We will continue to provide our officers with the best training to respond to the wide range of challenging circumstances as they serve our neighborhoods, and support our community partners in their efforts to connect those in need with the mental health resources they need."
» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: |
Get the latest headlines from vlog
This was one of three deadly police shootings in Des Moines in 2024, all of which have been ruled legally justified by the Iowa Attorney General.
Watch a summary video of the incident from the Des Moines Police Department.
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