Council Bluffs police released more information regarding their officer involved shooting on Thursday, February 1st. Officer Trevor Benson, a five year veteran of the department, responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot at 511 East Broadway. Officer Benson approached the driver's door of the parked Oldsmobile Cutlass. The driver has been identified as 21 year old Daton Petrey of Omaha. The two had a brief conversation but Petrey refused to identify himself. Officer Benson told Petrey to get ot of the vehicle but he refused.
Officer Benson then opened the driver’s door and was attempting to physically assist Petrey out of the car when he slammed the vehicle into reverse. Officer Benson became trapped between the open door and the body of the car for about 40 feet. He remained on his feet and fired two shots from his service weapon during the encounter. One round struck Petrey in the lower torso.
Petrey took off and headed down an alley. When he tried to turn onto Frank Street he hit a power pole which caused the vehicle to flip onto its roof. Petrey crawled out and took off on foot. Other responding officers found him hiding under a parked vehicle about a block away. Petrey was then taken to a hospital in Omaha for treatment.
Officer Benson was not injured. There was a 59 year old male sitting in the front passenger seat of the Cutlass when the incident began. His door was open when the struggle started and started to exit the vehicle when Petrey put it in reverse. He was dragged under the passenger door and his leg was run over. He refused medical attention at the scene, was interviewed and released.
At the time of the incident, Petrey has a valid felony warrant for his arrest for parole violation issued by the Nebraska Department of Corrections. His warrant indicates to use caution as he is considered an escape risk and known to carry weapons and resist arrest.
Petrey remains in the hospital in stable condition. Upon release he will be booked into the Douglas County Jail on his outstanding warrant.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting an investigation into this incident. The Council Bluffs Police Department will consult with Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber to identify appropriate criminal charges for Petrey as a result of his assaults upon Officer Benson and the front seat passenger. This remains an open investigation.
Officer Benson is on administrative leave while the investigation continues.