Des Moines police officer seriously injured after shootout, suspect dead

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines police officer was shot and a suspect is dead after a gunfire exchange followed a chase early Tuesday morning.

Sergeant Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department said officers responded to the 5800 block of SE 35th Circle around 3:32 a.m. after someone violated a no-contact order.

Officers saw the suspect’s vehicle driving near the scene at 3:53 a.m. and attempted to stop it. The suspect fled west on E. Army Post Road, running off the road in the 4300 block at approximately 3:58 a.m. and coming to a stop.

Just moments later, officers reported that shots had been fired and an officer had been hit.

“The suspect came out and shot at the officers, they returned fire. So he’s dead. And the officer is in the hospital, and we have another officer down at the police station,” said Sergeant Parizek.

The officer was shot in the chest and taken to the hospital.

According to police, the officer is a 37-year-old man who has been with the police department for four years. He was seriously injured in the shooting.

“Pretty serious condition. The hospital is doing everything they can right now. He’s probably still in critical condition right now, we’re just hoping and praying for the best,” said Sergeant Parizek.

The suspect shot by officers died at the scene. No further information about him has been released.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will take over the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

This is a developing story. Please visit www.who13.com for more details as they become available.