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Two Police Officers in Iowa Killed in 'Ambush-style Attacks'

by VOA News

   Police in the Des Moines, Iowa area are trying to determine who may
   have killed two police officers early Wednesday morning in ambush-style
   attacks.

   Both officers were sitting in their patrol cars about when the attacks
   occurred about 3 kilometers apart. The first officer was shot in the
   Des Moines suburb of Urbandale at about 1:06 a.m. local time. The
   second officer was killed in Des Moines about 20 minutes later.

   "There is a clear and present danger to police officers right now," Des
   Moines police chief Dana Wingert said at a news conference.

   Des Moines Police Sargent Paul Parizek said authorities are developing
   suspect information but there was nothing to immediately share with the
   public.

   The police shootings come at a time of increased tension in
   police-community relations in the U.S., an issue Parizek addressed when
   speaking with reporters.

   "We're very well aware of the society that we're living in right now
   and the time," Parizek said. "And that there are some not so positive
   views of law enforcement that a segment of our population holds."

   Parizek said police in the midwestern city of Des Moines will do what
   they can to keep themselves safe while continuing to respond to calls
   as usual.