The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has released the name of the Ames police officer who was involved in a weekend shooting. He is Patrick O’Bryan, a three-year veteran of the Ames Police Department. Last Friday Ames Police received a report of a stolen 2011 Toyota Sequoia.
At around 10 Saturday night, Ames Police during routine patrol located the vehicle which had been reported stolen. Upon attempting to stop the vehicle, it then left the scene. During a pursuit, the suspect vehicle damaged three police vehicles and attempted to strike an officer who was outside of his police car.
At that time, Officer O’Bryan shot at the stolen vehicle. The bullet from O’Bryan’s weapon struck a passenger in the vehicle identified as 29-year-old Crystal Messer. Messer was transported to a Des Moines hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the stolen vehicle that was stopped was identified as 27-year-old Amanda Bergeson. Bergeson was placed into custody. She is facing charges of Theft in the Fifth Degree.
Bergeson is in the Story County Jail in Nevada. Additional charges are pending against both Bergeson and Messer by the Story County Attorney’s office. Officer O’Bryan has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City