Coralville officer who shot armed man identified

CORALVILLE - The Coralville officer who fired on a resident who pointed a rifle at him has been interviewed by investigators and publicly identified.

According to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Joshua Van Brocklin, a 14-year member of the Coralville Police Department, twice shot Joseph G. Maser, 47, on Sept. 3. Maser's condition has not been released.

Coralville police were called at 9:54 a.m. Sept. 3 to the 2400 block of Dempster Drive for a welfare check. Officers reported hearing a gunshot there, but made contact with Maser, who was the only person in the home.

Police said they had contact on and off with Maser for the next 70 minutes. They tried to convince him to accept help, but Maser threatened to harm himself and officers at the scene.

Maser eventually appeared at the front door of the home and appeared willing to surrender, police said. However, he instead retreated into the home, re-emerged from the garage and pointed a rifle at officers. It was at this point Van Brocklin fired twice at Maser, hitting him two times in the upper torso, according to police reports.

The DCI will send its report to Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness, who will review whether Van Brocklin's use of force was justified.

DCI Special Agent in Charge Rick Rahn said he could not comment on whether Maser has been interviewed by investigators.

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