Investigators say while two police officers were on the Manawa Drive Wal‐Mart parking lot on a shoplifting call Friday evening, they spotted a white Mazda CX‐9 parked nearby that had stolen plates on it.
As the officers were finishing their shoplifting call, a white male walked up to the Mazda and got behind the wheel.
As the officers approached, the man locked the vehicle’s doors and started the motor.
Police say the early investigation indicates that one of the officers fired his service handgun at the driver as a struggle was taking place to get the driver out of the car.
The driver’s window was broken out, and as the officer was reaching inside the car, the driver put the car into gear and sped off, hitting a parked vehicle.
The officer who fired his handgun had minor injuries to his arm, but was treated at a local hospital and released.
The white Mazda was found abandoned a short time later near the I‐29/I‐80 interchange.
After a search, the driver was not located. It is unknown if he has any injuries.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is reviewing the actions of the officer involved in the shooting, which is standard.
The officer’s name has not been released.
If anyone has any information, contact CBPD detectives at 712‐328‐4728, or you can remain anonymous by calling "Crimestoppers" at 712‐328‐STOP.
(Picture courtesy of Council Bluffs Police)