Daniel Riedmann
A Sioux City Police officer shot and killed a passenger in an SUV during a traffic stop Wednesday night.
The officer is not being identified, but Police Chief Doug Young says the officer has been with the force for three years.
The SUV was driven by 39-year-old Melinda Benoit of Sioux City, but Young says the officer also checked on the passenger, 36-year-old Daniel Riedmann.
“It was determined that Daniel Riedmann had an outstanding warrant from the State of Iowa and there was an officer alert that Mr. Riedmann could be armed and dangerous,” Young said. The officer felt threatened when he reapproached the vehicle, according to Young.
“Mr. Riedmann did not comply with the officer’s demands to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was locked and as they were making their demands there were some furtive movements in the vehicle, at which time the officer stepped back and discharged his service weapon striking Mr. Riedmann,” Young said at a news conference Thursday.
Police recovered a gun from the SUV. The incident was captured on the police vehicle’s dash cam and Young said that video will eventually be released. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave, as the incident is under investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Riedmann, who is from Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, was wanted in Iowa for a probation violation. His record included convictions on felony charges of second-degree theft and possession of a controlled substance.
(Reporting by Woody Gottburg, KSCJ, Sioux City)