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Police ID homeless man shot at Des Moines encampment

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September 14th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police have identified a wounded homeless man, as well as the officer who shot him in a confrontation at a Des Moines homeless encampment. Des Moines police say 26-year-old Bryan Tyler Norris was shot Friday afternoon at the encampment in a wooded area near the Raccoon River. Police say officers were responding to complaints about the camp when Norris refused to cooperate with officers, then jumped into the river. Police say he later emerged from the river, ran back to the camp and armed himself first with a shovel, then a machete-style knife. Police say Norris refused commands to drop the knife and was advancing on an officer when Officer Trudy Paulson shot him.

Police say Norris underwent surgery and remained hospitalized Saturday in stable condition. He’s been charged with assault on a police officer and other counts. Paulson is a 12-year veteran of the force.