For the second time this year, Des Moines police have shot and killed a man. Police were called to an eastside bar called Hopper’s early Sunday morning to break up a fight. A plain clothes officer in an unmarked car parked nearby after the brawl and in less than an hour, heard gunshots and screams. Three people had been wounded by bullets.
The shots were allegedly fired by 23-year-old Christopher Byrd, of Des Moines. The officer was in the parking lot in moments and ordered Byrd to drop his weapon — but Byrd allegedly pointed the gun at the officer, who fired once and killed him. The officer’s been placed on administrative leave, which is standard.