The Iowa Attorney General’s Office concluded the July 1 police shooting of James Young Sherrill was legally justified.
In a report issued Friday, Aug. 8, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said Sherrill pointed a handgun toward Dubuque police and sheriff deputies. Bird said the officers who fired, killing Sherrill, responded to an imminent threat.
According to the report, members of the Dubuque Drug Task Force stopped Sherrill, who had been under investigation for drug activity, while he was driving. But Sherrill refused to exit the car.
Sgt. Adam Williams of the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office struggled with Sherrill over his keys. He tased Sherrill twice.
Dubuque officer Chad Leitzen shot Sherrill when Sherrill raised a handgun toward Williams. Sherrill struggled with Williams over the handgun. Willams, Leitzen and Monticello police officer Cole Millard continued to shoot Sherrill until he was subdued. Sherrill was pronounced dead in an ambulance.
A search of Sherrill’s truck revealed he was also carrying more than five pounds of methamphetamine, substances that appeared to be heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; a drug scale, more than $15,000 in cash, and a ledger.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Dubuque police justified in July fatal shooting, Iowa AG says
