Deputy who fatally shot armed suspect during standoff was 'legally justified,' Iowa Attorney General's Office says
The Iowa Attorney General's Office concluded that the deputy who fatally shot and killed a man during a standoff was "legally justified."Investigators said a caller reported the suspect, identified as David Plagmann, was intoxicated, the garage floor was recently washed, and blood appeared to be on snow in the driveway.A deputy responded to a Harlan residence for a welfare check in March and when they arrived on scene, a standoff situation started with Plagmann, authorities said.Previous coverage: 36-year-old man shot, killed during armed standoff with Shelby County deputiesThe deputy directed Plagmann to put his rifle down several times, but he refused and attempted to rack the rifle, according to officials.Officials said the deputy took cover behind his patrol car, drew his firearm and again told Plagmann to put the rifle down. He refused and walked toward the driveway with the rifle pointed up under his chin."Plagmann told the deputy multiple times that he was going to 'do it' and that he hated his life. The deputy heard a 'click' as Plagmann pulled the trigger, but the rifle did not fire," according to the Iowa Attorney General's Office's report.The deputy requested assistance and continued negotiating with Plagmann, officials said. During the conversation, he told the deputy that there was a body in a nearby vehicle and later said that he killed his girlfriend.Officials said two more officers arrived at the scene to provide backup. Plagmann moved the rifle away from his chin, racked it and pointed it toward the deputy."Seeing the immediate threat to the deputy behind the patrol car, an officer across the street fired his rifle and Plagmann fell to the ground," officials said in a report.Lifesaving measures were taken at the scene. Plagmann was taken to a hospital in Harlan where he was declared dead, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said.Authorities found 13 rifle rounds in Plagmann's pockets, officials said. Deputies found a woman, identified as 31-year-old Alexis Martin, dead at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds, authorities said.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
