A man was shot to death by a law officer in southeast Iowa over the weekend. Washington County Sheriff’s deputies were sent to a home in rural Wellman at 9 p.m. Saturday on the report of a suicidal man.
Deputies went to the home of 39-year-old Martin Francis Hammen, but could not locate him. They were called back to the home around 1:15 a.m. Sunday to find the residence engulfed in flames.
According to a news release, Hammen was then seen crossing a highway and emerged from a tree line carrying a handgun and propane torch. The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation reports Hammen was ordered to drop his gun but refused and he was then shot by a deputy in his upper torso.
Hammen died at the scene. No deputies were injured. The incident remains under investigation.