Multiple Shootings Leave Four Dead, Two Officers Injured in Des Moines 2024-09-16

Four individuals died due to gunshot injuries from three different incidents in Des Moines over the last two days, including one that left two police officers injured. Two of the shootings mark the city's ninth, 10th and 11th homicides in 2024, while the third incident resulted in police shooting and killing the suspect after he shot at Des Moines officers. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has been asked to help investigate both incidents.

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Two Des Moines Officers Hospitalized After Shooting, Suspect Killed 2024-09-16

Two Des Moines police officers remain hospitalized after a shooting Monday morning on Des Moines's East side. Police say officers stopped a 2005 Ford Focus for an equipment violation around 1:40 a.m. The driver then sped away as officers exited their patrol car. Approximately 20 seconds later, the suspect crashed the car, leading police to block the car and provided instructions to turn off the car and exit it. The suspect refused to comply, leading police to deploying a taser. They then attempted to remove the suspect from the car, leading to a struggle. The suspect then pulled out a handgun and opened fire. Three officers returned fire, hitting the suspect. One officer was hit in the arm, another was hit in the head. The injuries are considered 'non-life threatening'. The Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation, assisted by Des Moines Police Department detectives, continues this investigation.

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Two Des Moines Police Officers Hospitalized After Shooting, Suspect Killed 2024-09-16

Two Des Moines police officers are in the hospital following a shooting early Monday, the department said in a press release. Officers attempted to stop a car for an equipment violation on Easton Boulevard at around 1:40 a.m. Monday. The driver of the vehicle initially stopped, but then sped away, leading to a pursuit. Police said the suspect turned onto E 24th Street, left the road and crashed. Sgt. Paul Parizek told Local 5 officers tried to get the suspect to turn off the car and get out, but he didn't comply. Police used a taser on the suspect while attempting to take him into custody. The suspect allegedly 'began to struggle violently' with the responding officers, Parizek added. During the struggle, the suspect began shooting at police, Parizek told Local 5. Three out of four officers on scene returned fire, hitting the suspect. The suspect later died at a hospital. One officer was shot in the head, while the other was shot in the arm. Both officers have been with the Des Moines Police Department since 2022. Both of the injured officers remain in the hospital as of 11 a.m. Monday. Parizek noted both officers are expected to survive, although situations can change quickly.