Shootout near elementary school in Ottumwa leaves one man dead, three others in custody

OTTUMWA — A shooting took place near an Ottumwa elementary school Friday, putting the school on high alert and resulting in the death of one man and the arrest of three others.

According to the Ottumway Courier, police were called to the school area at 1:40 p.m., when five hours of chaos ensued:

Police were called to the area of Liberty Elementary School around 1:40 p.m. for a report of three men, at least one armed, moving through a ditch. When officers pulled into a back lot at the school, where about 40 students were participating in a summer program, they came under fire.

Police Chief Tom McAndrew said officers returned fire. The manhunt for the third began in an adjacent soybean field and lasted into the evening.

WHO news said that the man who was killed was one of those involved in the shootout with police.

Meanwhile, all students and staff at Liberty Elementary School were 'accounted for and under police protection,' according to an afternoon tweet from the Ottumwa Community School District.

Parents were asked not to go to the school, 50 Traxler Drive, to pick up their children. They were later given instructions on where they could come pick up their children.

The students and staff that were at the Prime Time Youth Care program at Liberty Elementary are safe and secure. We are grateful for the district staff and Ottumwa police department for ensuring the safety of our students . . . August 3, 2018

The students and staff that were at the Prime Time Youth Care program at Liberty Elementary are safe and secure. We are grateful for the district staff and Ottumwa police department for ensuring the safety of our students . . . https://t.co/wBK4EFA00B

— Ottumwa Schools (@OttumwaSchools)

• Comments: (319) 398-8330; molly.duffy@thegazette.com