Ryan Keith Bolinger, 28, of West Des Moines, died at the scene from a single gunshot to the torso. Police and witnesses said he led two officers on a slow chase through northwestern Des Moines Tuesday evening that ended with Bolinger exiting his vehicle and coming toward the squad car.
“He was walking with a purpose,” Sgt. Jason Halifax of Des Moines Police said following a press conference Wednesday on the shooting.
Senior Police Officer Vanessa Miller, a seven-year veteran, fired the round that killed Bolinger. Miller was assisting Senior Police Officer Ian Lawler, also a seven-year veteran, in the pursuit of Bolinger’s vehicle after a bizarre confrontation involving an unrelated vehicle stop that Bolinger interrupted.
Both officers are on administrative leave until the investigation, is completed, per the department policy. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will assist in the investigation.
Halifax said he expects a grand jury ultimately will evaluate the case, though the department is also conducting its own internal investigation. Both Miller and Bolinger are white.
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