Iowa Department of Public Safety
Eugene T. Meyer, Commissioner
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Telephone Number: (515) 725-6182
Facsimile Number: (515) 725-6195

MORE INFORMATION RELEASED IN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN SEYMOUR, IOWA

Seymour, IOWA --- The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is releasing the names both the Trooper and suspect involved in the vehicle pursuit and shooting incident that occured at 11:30 p.m., in Wayne County, Iowa on October 14, 2009.

The Iowa State Patrol (ISP) Trooper involved in the incident was Trooper Chris Spencer. Trooper Spencer has served 11 years with the Iowa State Patrol. Per Department policy, Spencer is now on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The suspect involved in the incident was 26 year old Justin Jacob of Wapello County. At this time Jacob is being treated at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines for gunshot wounds received during the incident.

There was also a passenger in the suspect vehicle. This passenger did not sustain injury in the incident. Due to the ongoing investigation, the DCI is not releasing the name of this witness.

The pursuit began in Centerville, Iowa after the Centerville Police Department attempted a traffic stop for suspicion of drunk driving. The pursuit continued from Centerville to Seymour, Iowa on County Road J46. A Seymour City Police Officer deployed ‘Stop Sticks’ and the front left tire of the suspect vehicle struck the sticks east of Seymour. Within the city limits of Seymour, Trooper Spencer's patrol vehicle made contact with the suspect vehicle in an attempt to stop the pursuit. The suspect vehicle attempted to escape the scene and struck Trooper Spencer's vehicle. Trooper Spencer fired his service weapon into the vehicle, ending the pursuit. 

This incident ended on Seymour Community School property. Due to the ongoing investigation, classes were cancelled today by the Seymour Community School District Superintendent.

When the DCI investigation is complete, the results will be turned over to the Wayne County Attorney for review.

In addition to the Iowa State Patrol, the Centerville Police Department, Seymour Police Department, Corydon Police Department, Appanoose County Sheriff's Office, and Wayne County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the incident.

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