Cedar Rapids reserve officer named in officer-involved shooting

Police haven’t said whether they have interviewed person in vehicle that struck officer

Dec. 22, 2021 5:09 pm

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids police on Wednesday released the name of the officer who fired his gun last week at a vehicle after an attempted traffic stop, but offered no detail on whether anyone has been arrested in the altercation.

Reserve Officer Scott Fruehling, who has been employed with the department since September 1994, will not perform any police duties while the officer-involved shooting is being investigated, according to a news release.

Police last weekend were looking for the driver of a vehicle that Fruehling tried to stop at 8:36 p.m. Dec. 17 on 32nd St. NE. When the driver didn’t stop, a “short chase ensued” to the 1600 block of Center Street NE.

Fruehling left his vehicle to confront the person, who then turned the vehicle and accelerated toward the officer, according to police. The vehicle hit the officer, prompting the officer to fire at the vehicle. The driver didn’t stop until reaching the end of 34th Street NE, and then ran away.

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

Police did not say in the release whether they have interviewed the person in the vehicle or if any arrests have been made. They said no other information is available while the investigation is ongoing.

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