Iowa DCI Investigating Officer Involved Shooting in Ottumwa

Department of Criminal Investigation

OTTUMWA, Iowa — On June 25, 2016, at approximately 8:55 AM, a call came into the Ottumwa Police Department dispatch center in reference to a house fire at 416 Waverly Avenue in Ottumwa. The caller also stated that a male subject was outside shooting a rifle at the same house.

Ottumwa officers responded to the scene and upon arrival confronted the subject. Officers gave commands for the subject to drop the rifle but the subject refused. The subject raised the rifle at officers in a threatening manner and officers shot the subject.

Officers immediately began life saving measures on the subject and the Ottumwa Fire Department was called to extinguish the fire. The subject was transported to the Ottumwa Regional Medical Center and underwent surgery for his injuries. The condition of the subject is not known at this time.

The officers involved with the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave, per Ottumwa Police Department policy.

The Ottumwa Police Department requested the assistance of the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) State Fire Marshal Division (SFM) and Iowa State Patrol (ISP) also assisted with the investigation.

At the time of this incident, Gerald Porte, 49, was arrested for possession with intent to deliver more than five grams of methamphetamine. Porter was arrested at the scene of the fire after the officer-involved shooting. Porter’s arrest was not associated with the shooting.

No additional information will be released at this time.