2 Iowa Police Officers Shot and Killed in Separate 'Ambush-Style' Attacks

Two police officers were shot and killed in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday morning in separate "ambush-style" attacks.

Two Iowa police officers were shot and killed in "ambush-style" attacks early Wednesday morning.

According to the Des Moines Register, police from Des Moines and Urbandale, Iowa responded to a report of gunfire shortly after 1 a.m. When officers arrived, they found an Urbandale officer fatally shot. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines police officer was also fatally shot while responding to the initial shooting about two miles away. Both officers were reportedly in their patrol cars when they were killed. 

"In all appearances, it looks like these officers were ambushed," Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said on Wednesday morning. "On the surface, it doesn’t look like there was any interaction between these officers and whoever the coward was that shot them while they sat in their cars."

The victims have not yet been identified, as their families are still being notified. On Wednesday morning, police identified the alleged suspect in the shootings as 46-year-old Urbandale resident Scott Michael Greene.

A manhunt is underway for Greene. Police are on high alert, and no officer will be patrolling alone on Wednesday. "There's literally a clear and present danger if you're a police officer," Sgt. Parizek said.

The ambush shootings mark the first time a Des Moines police officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty since 1977. An Urbandale Police spokesperson said this is likely the first ever Urbandale officer to be killed in the line of duty.

"An attack on public safety officers is an attack on the public safety of all Iowans," Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said in a statement. "We call on Iowans to support our law enforcement officials in bringing this suspect to justice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the police officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty as well as the officers who continue to put themselves in harm’s way."

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