Five people were injured, one suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, following a brief standoff with police in Ottumwa Saturday morning.
Police responded to a report that a man was shooting at a home in on the east side of Ottumwa shortly before nine o’clock Saturday. The caller also said the person had started a fire in the home. Minutes later a man walking out the front door of the home carrying what appeared to be an assault-style rifle. Approximately four gunshots rang out.
Ottumwa Police Lieutenant Jason Bell says he’s not sure if the suspect fired first before police officers opened fire. Officers immediately began life saving measures on the subject and the Ottumwa Fire Department was called to extinguish the home fire. The subject was transported to the Ottumwa Regional Medical Center and underwent surgery for his injuries. The officers involved with the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave, per Ottumwa Police Department policy.
Four others inside the home at the time suffered injuries. Bell says none suffered from gunshot wounds, but couldn’t elaborate on their injuries.
No officers were injured in the incident.
(Reporting by Nick Davis, KBIZ, Ottuwma)