Iowa Attorney General investigation finds Des Moines police shooting justified
A deadly shooting by two Des Moines police officers was legally justified, according to a report from the Iowa Attorney General's Office.
Related video above: Polk County investigation finds Des Moines officers 'justified' in fatal shooting
The report issued Thursday says the officers involved in the July 30 fatal shooting of Weston Derby, a suspect in an investigation into the violation of a no-contact order, had reasonably believed Derby was "a serious and immediate threat to their lives."
On July 30, officers were called to a residence in the 5800 block of SE 35th Circle for a report of a person violating a protective order. Police found Derby driving near the scene and attempted to stop his vehicle.
A chase ensued before Derby's vehicle came to a stop in the 4300 block of East Army Post Road. Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said officers' body camera footage shows Derby attempting to flee on foot before turning to face the two officers in pursuit and pulling what officers believed to be a handgun.
Officers Jesse Schneider and Anthony Lampman fired their weapons at Derby, killing him. Schneider was accidentally struck in the back shoulder by a round from Lampman's firearm, according to the report.
"The deadly force was used only after [Derby] made threats to kill [the officers] and intentionally pointed his weapon at them in a threatening manner," the report reads.
The Des Moines Police Department released a video summary Thursday morning, showing some body camera footage and explaining the actions of the officers.
Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham also found the shooting legally justified, according to a letter sent to Des Moines police Chief Dana Wingert earlier this week.
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