Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP / Getty Images
The Iowa Attorney General's office says the fatal shooting of a suspect involving multiple Central Iowa agencies was legally justified.
On April 15th, a Dallas County deputy pulled over Vonderrick Rayford on Interstate 80. An investigation later revealed Rayford had a warrant out for his arrest in Wisconsin, and had stolen a handgun. He also had stolen the car he was driving in Colorado, and had shot a woman in the head and at a responding police officer a day and a half earlier.
While the deputy was sitting in his patrol car, Rayford starting shooting at him with the stolen handgun.
Other area agencies responded to the scene, including Stuart and Adel Police, Iowa State Patrol. and Adair County deputies.
The Attorney General's office says Raymond fired at officers as he ran across the interstate and median of I-80. He ignored multiple commands to drop his gun, instead dropping to the ground. Rayford then stood up with his hands up.
As officers began approaching the median, a drone lit up the scene, showing the handgun at Rayford's feet. He ignored commands to get away from the gun, and reached for the gun and pointed at officers when one was within a few feet from him. Several officers then fired on Rayford, and he died at the scene.
The report from the Attorney General's office says all officers were legally justified in their actions and no criminal charges are warranted.