Des Moines officer was ‘legally justified' in March shooting of assault suspect, county attorney says
DES MOINES, Iowa — The March non-fatal shooting of a Des Moines man by a police officer has been determined to be legally justified by the Polk County Attorney's Office, following a review of the evidence by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Jose Daniel Rodriguez-Sanchez, 19, was shot by Senior Police Officer Chad Ruroden of the Des Moines Police Department on March 20th, as police investigated the alleged assault of a woman in the Watrous South neighborhood.
Des Moines Police said Rodriguez-Sanchez fled the original scene of the assault, and SPO Ruroden located him at the intersection of SW 11th Street and Wade Street. With his gun drawn, SPO Ruroden ordered Rodriguez-Sanchez to surrender, but instead, he charged the officer and began assaulting him.
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During the assault, SPO Ruroden fired his gun, striking Rodriguez-Sanchez in the upper torso. SPO Ruroden retreated, but Rodriguez-Sanchez continued to attack until other officers arrived on the scene. They used pepper spray and a taser to take Rodriguez-Sanchez into custody.
Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham said, 'Given all the circumstances, it was reasonable for Officer Ruroden to conclude that he was in imminent danger of great bodily injury or death at the time the force was used. Officer Ruroden reasonably believed his actions were necessary to prevent great bodily injury or death.'
Rodriguez-Sanchez remains in the Polk County Jail on charges of assault on a person in a certain occupation-intent of injury, disarming a peace officer, interference with official acts-bodily injury, and domestic abuse assault.
The DMPD plans to release body-worn and dash-cam recordings from the incident at a later date since the criminal case against Rodriguez-Sanchez remains ongoing.
The Iowa Attorney General's Office was not required to investigate SPO Ruroden's use of force as it did not result in death.
Des Moines officer was 'legally justified' in March shooting of assault suspect, county attorney says
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