Sheriff: Suspect shot while exchanging gunfire with officers near Hiawatha

HIAWATHA — A man sustained critical injuries Wednesday after being shot during an exchange of gunfire with officers from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

The man, who has not been identified by law enforcement, was involved in a Wednesday police pursuit along Interstate 380 near Hiawatha, per a news release from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday after it was identified by officers as being involved in an alleged Cedar Falls carjacking. The driver, who was the vehicle’s only occupant, then attempted to flee.

The pursuit began on I-380 southbound and continued onto County Home Road before heading back toward the interstate.

During the pursuit, the release alleges the unnamed driver leaned out of the window and used a rifle to fire several rounds toward the pursuing deputy’s vehicle. He later lost control of the vehicle and crashed near the intersection of I-380 and Tower Terrace Road.

The vehicle was rendered unusable, and the release states the man fled the car and ran into a nearby field. Upon reaching the field, he allegedly turned and fired several additional rounds toward pursuing officers.

At that point, one deputy and other responding law enforcement returned fire. The suspect became incapacitated after being hit by at least one shot and was taken into custody.

The man’s injuries are considered critical, and he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. He has since been transferred to University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center for further care. No officers were injured during the incident.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the incident, as is the norm with officer-involved shootings. Law enforcement officers directly involved in the shooting have been placed on critical incident leave in the meantime.

In addition to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the responding agencies included Iowa State Patrol, the U.S. Marshal’s Office and officers from the Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Robins police departments.

The Sheriff’s Office says the suspect’s name will be released at a future date. Per the Cedar Falls Police Department, the same individual is suspected of being involved in an armed robbery at a U.S. Marines recruitment office in Cedar Falls where he allegedly stole the vehicle used during the pursuit.

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