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A Jefferson police officer who fatally shot a suspect in July was legally justified in doing so, according to a report issued by the office of Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird.
According to the Attorney General's report, at 1:25 a.m. July 2, Jefferson Police Officer Shaydon Thurman attempted to stop a Dodge Charger that was driving carelessly, speeding, and drove through two stop signs. The driver of the vehicle, Keegan Dean Kennedy, 17, fled from the officer and a chase began throughout Greene County.
According to the report, at times throughout the pursuit, Kennedy was driving more than 20 mph over the speed limit and slowed before the car got a flat tire, at which point he angled the vehicle toward a ditch. Before the vehicle stopped, Kennedy jumped out of the car and ran at Thurman's patrol car while holding a "sharp object."
According to the report, when Thurman got out of his vehicle, he fired his weapon at Kennedy. Despite being shot, Kennedy continued toward Thurman and stabbed him in the head. The officer then pushed Kennedy away and fired at him a second time.
According to the report, a Greene County deputy who had been assisting with the pursuit heard the shots and called for additional help. Lifesaving measures were performed on Kennedy, but he died of his injuries at the scene.
Thurman was transported to a hospital for treatment of a stab wound to his face and was later released.
According to the report, the vehicle Kennedy was driving had been reported stolen from a Jefferson residence that night, and there had been other reports of stolen vehicles around Jefferson and Scranton several days prior to the incident.
The report also states that Kennedy's family told authorities that he had made statements prior to the shooting indicating that if he were approached by police "he would commit suicide by cop."