Driver in Critical Condition after Linn County Pursuit

On Wednesday, at approximately 8:30 AM, area law enforcement officers were made aware of a carjacking involving a weapon that had occurred in Cedar Falls. At approximately 9:30 AM, a Linn County Sheriff’s Deputy located the suspect vehicle, a gray Dodge Durango, southbound on I-380, near Center Point. Upon observing the deputy, the driver, 32-year old Samuel Reese III of Center Point, Alabama, took off at high speed, southbound on the interstate.

When the deputy caught up with the suspect vehicle, the driver suddenly exited onto County Home Road, losing control and striking a road sign. As the suspect vehicle attempted to reenter the interstate, the adult male driver (and only occupant of the vehicle) leaned out of the driver’s side window with a rifle and fired several rounds toward the deputy and his patrol car.

The pursuit then continued southbound on I-380, until the suspect vehicle lost control and ran into the cable barriers near Tower Terrace Road, where the vehicle became disabled. The suspect, while still in possession of the rifle, then fled into a field east of the interstate. Once into the field, the suspect turned and fired several rifle rounds, at which time the deputy and other responding law enforcement officers returned fire.

As the suspect continued deeper into the field while firing rounds, he was struck by a round from a law enforcement officer and was incapacitated. He was then taken into custody and transported by ambulance to Unity Point Health/St. Luke’s Hospital where he was later transferred to UIHC in critical condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during this incident.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation responded and are conducting the officer involved shooting investigation. Those law enforcement officers directly involved in this incident have been placed on critical incident leave, as is required by agency policies.

Other responding law enforcement agencies included the Hiawatha, Cedar Rapids, and Robins Police Departments, the Iowa State Patrol, the US Marshal’s Office, and the ATF. The criminal incident remains under investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office with several felony charges against the suspect pending.