Executive Summary
- Suspect identified as Samuel Reese III led police on a high-speed chase on I-380.
- Authorities report the suspect fired a rifle at deputies from his vehicle and in a field.
- Officers returned fire, incapacitating the suspect who is now in critical condition.
- The incident began with an armed carjacking in Cedar Falls approximately one hour prior.
- The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is reviewing the officer-involved shooting.
A suspect remains in critical condition after leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit and exchanging gunfire with deputies along Interstate 380 in Linn County, Iowa, on Wednesday. The confrontation, which involved multiple law enforcement agencies, followed an reported armed carjacking earlier in the morning.
According to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the sequence of events began at approximately 8:30 a.m. when officers were alerted to a carjacking involving a weapon in Cedar Falls. Roughly one hour later, a deputy located the suspect vehicle, identified as a gray Dodge Durango, traveling southbound on I-380 near Center Point. When the deputy attempted to initiate a stop, the driver fled at a high rate of speed.
Authorities identified the driver as 32-year-old Samuel Reese III of Center Point, Alabama. Investigators stated that during the pursuit, Reese exited onto County Home Road, where he lost control and struck a road sign. As he attempted to steer the vehicle back onto the interstate, the Sheriff’s Office reported that Reese leaned out of the driver’s side window armed with a rifle and fired several rounds at the pursuing deputy.
The chase continued southbound until the suspect vehicle crashed into cable barriers near Tower Terrace Road and became disabled. Law enforcement officials stated that Reese, still in possession of the rifle, fled into a field east of the interstate. Once in the field, the suspect allegedly turned and fired additional rounds at law enforcement. Responding officers returned fire, striking and incapacitating the suspect.
Reese was transported by ambulance to UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital and later transferred to University of Iowa Health Care (UIHC) for specialized treatment. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident. Agencies assisting the Linn County Sheriff’s Office included the Iowa State Patrol, the US Marshal’s Office, the ATF, and police departments from Hiawatha, Cedar Rapids, and Robins.
Investigative & Procedural Overview
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has assumed jurisdiction over the officer-involved shooting investigation to ensure an independent review of the use of force. In accordance with standard agency policies, the officers directly involved have been placed on critical incident leave. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office noted that several felony charges are pending against the suspect. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
