Cedar Rapids man accused of driving his car at officer in December

26-year-old faces assault and other charges after police shooting

Jan. 14, 2022 4:17 pm, Updated: Jan. 14, 2022 5:45 pm

CEDAR RAPIDS — Police arrested a Cedar Rapids man Friday on suspicion of assaulting a police officer who attempted to make a traffic stop in December and fired at the man’s vehicle when he drove toward him.

Eddie Ayers III, 26, was charged with assault on persons in certain occupations — use/display weapon; assault on persons in certain occupations — bodily injury; interference with official acts with a dangerous weapon; eluding resulting in injury; and some traffic violations.

Ayers also faces a possible additional charge of interference with official acts because police said as investigators approached and attempted to arrest Ayers, he ran.

Ayers is accused of driving a vehicle that Reserve Office Scott Fruehling attempted to stop at 8:36 p.m. Dec. 17 on 32nd Street NE. When Ayers didn’t stop, police said a “short chase ensued” to the 1600 block of Center Street NE.

Fruehling then got out of his vehicle to confront the driver, who hadn’t been identified until Friday. Ayers accelerated his vehicle toward the officer, according to police. The vehicle hit the officer, prompting him to fire at the car. The driver didn’t stop until reaching the end of 34th Street NE, then ran away.

Fruehling sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from a hospital, police previously said. They didn’t disclose how many rounds were fired or whether they believe any hit the suspect.

On Friday, police said investigators were able to identify Ayers as the driver through the use of video and other physical evidence discovered during the investigation.

Fruehling, who has been with the department since 1994, will remain in a non-active duty status until an administrative review of the events has been completed by the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

The department has forwarded the investigation to the Linn County Attorney’s Office for a criminal review of the officer’s actions.