DES MOINES, Iowa—The Division of Criminal Investigation’s (DCI) Major Crimes Unit continues the investigation into the October 17, 2019, officer-involved shooting in Stuart. Once the investigation is complete, the DCI will provide the Adair County Attorney’s Office with all reports, evidence, and body camera video collected as part of this investigation. This process may take several weeks to complete.
At this time, the DCI is releasing the following information concerning the shooting investigation:
On October 17, 2019, at approximately 10:40 p.m., Guthrie County Deputy Kent Gries, Guthrie County Deputy Steven Henry, Guthrie County Deputy Jim Mink, and Stuart Police Officer Tyler DeFrancisco attempted to serve an arrest warrant on 52-year old Randall Comly at 615 SW 7th Street, Apartment #1, in Stuart. The law enforcement officers were attempting to arrest Mr. Comly on outstanding felony warrants.
The officers knocked on the apartment door, where they were met by an adult male, not Randall Comly. The officers entered the apartment, and while searching for Mr. Comly, the officers were met with gunfire. The officers returned fire. In the exchange of gunfire two deputies sustained non-life threatening gunshot wounds and a third deputy sustained a gunpowder burn. Mr. Comly sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound. All those injured were transported to Des Moines hospitals. Also inside the apartment at the time of the shooting were two adult females, neither of which was injured.
More than 50 police officers, deputies, and troopers responded to the report of shots fired. Arriving officers were able to secure the area, evacuate neighbors, negotiate a peaceful ending to the incident, and take Mr. Comly into custody.
Mr. Comly is in law enforcement custody at a Des Moines Hospital on outstanding warrants.
No criminal charges have been filed related to this shooting.
Deputy Kent Gries is a 13-year veteran of the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Steven Henry is a seven-year veteran of the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Jim Mink is a five-year veteran of the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office.
Officer Tyler DeFrancisco has one year of service with the Stuart Police Department.
(contributed press release, Iowa Department of Public Safety)
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