On Monday morning, a 16-year-old male was shot and killed by police officers in Des Moines, Iowa. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations is currently reviewing the incident.
According to a statement from the Des Moines Police Department, officers responded to a domestic dispute at an apartment on the south side of the city at approximately 12:30 a.m. Upon arrival, they encountered the teenager, who was in possession of a handgun, and was with members of his family inside the apartment.
“Officers began several minutes of negotiations in an effort to de-escalate the situation,” the press release said.
According to the Des Moines Police Department, officers at the scene of the domestic dispute made several attempts to persuade the 16-year-old male to put down his handgun.
While officers were trying to de-escalate the situation, the teenager reportedly pointed the gun in the direction of the officers. In response, multiple officers fired their handguns, hitting the teenager. Despite efforts to provide life-saving treatment, the teenager was pronounced dead at a local hospital after being transported by the Des Moines Fire Department medics.
The shooting incident in Des Moines, Iowa, which resulted in the death of a 16-year-old male, is being investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, with assistance from detectives from the Des Moines Police Department.
Body cameras worn by the officers present at the scene were active at the time of the shooting, and the footage will be reviewed as part of the investigation. This marks the first officer-involved shooting for the Des Moines Police Department in the current year.
