Police Chief: Fatal Vinton shooting still under investigation

VINTON - The fatal shooting of a Vinton teenager last month remains under investigation.

Vinton Police Chief Ted Paxton said Wednesday morning his officers were still combing through information related to the Feb. 24 shooting of 14-year-old Emma Redlinger at a residence in Vinton. The Vinton-Shellsburg High School freshman died on Feb. 28 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

'It's still open,” Paxton said Wednesday.

Police and the North Benton Ambulance responded to the 1200 block of W. Fourth Street at 6:18 p.m. Feb. 24 for a report of a teenager who had been shot. Responding officers learned that Redlinger had been shot by another teenager who had been handling a .22 caliber rifle. The shooting occurred inside the residence and other adults were present at the time, Paxton has said.

Redlinger was treated at the scene before being transported to Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton. She was later transferred to UIHC via helicopter.

Paxton said he wasn't sure if officers were leaning toward filing charges in the case or not. He said he has not given officers a deadline on making such a decision.

'It all depends on the timeliness of the information coming in,” Paxton said.

Paxton said police will release more information when the investigation is complete.