(Des Moines, IA) -- Two Des Moines Police officers have been cleared in the fatal shooting of an armed man. Officers were called to Elsie Mason Manor just after 6 a.m. November 26th. Police say Charles Leonard III, was holding the receptionist at gunpoint.
Officers were stationed by the north door of the complex. Once the officers helped the hostages escape, one of the officers by the glass pane wall shined his flashlight on Leonard. Leonard then raised his gun at the officers, who opened fire. Leonard died by multiple gunshot wounds.
It was later learned that Leonard’s weapon was an air-soft pistol that was missing the orange tip, making it indistinguishable in the moment from a real handgun. Leonard had reportedly suffered from mental health issues and drug addiction. He had also quit taking his medication and been described as suicidal. At the scene of the incident, he told the receptionist, “I don’t care anymore” and indicated he wanted to die from “suicide by cop.” Leonard was an immediate threat to the hostages, officers, and every resident in the apartment complex.
The report is issued under the Attorney General’s independent authority under Iowa Code section 13.12 to investigate or prosecute conduct of law enforcement that results in death.
