(Fort Dodge, Iowa) –  A Webster County Sheriff’s Deputy is on paid administrative leave (per standard procedure), following a shooting incident Monday night, near Gowrie. According to a statement from Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener, at around 9:45-p.m., Monday, Webster County Telecommunications received a 911 call regarding a domestic disturbance in Gowrie, Iowa. Information gathered was a male involved had been consuming alcohol and was currently driving a GMC Sierra. The caller stated it was also believed the male had a firearm inside his vehicle.

While en route, Webster County Deputies located the vehicle in question and attempted a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop and attempted to elude deputies through Dayton and the southern part of rural Webster County. Hamilton County Deputies assisted in the pursuit and were able to Stop-Stick one of the vehicle’s tires near Taylor Avenue and Highway 175.

A Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) was utilized to eventually disable the vehicle near River Road and Highway 175. Deputies then exited their vehicles and ordered the suspect to put his hands up. The suspect then reached down to the passenger seat area and stated he was getting his firearm. He then made a shooting motion toward a deputy through the back window of the vehicle.

A Webster County Deputy then fired one shot through the back passenger window, striking the suspect in his right hand. Deputies were then able to detain the suspect and render medical aid. The suspect was transported by ambulance to Unity Point ER in Fort Dodge and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A pistol was located on the driver floorboard of the suspect’s vehicle. There were no injuries to law enforcement or members of the public. The deputy involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave until the Webster County Attorney’s Office has reviewed all evidence and case facts.

Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were notified and responded to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting. The Webster County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this incident by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Iowa State Patrol, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Webster County Reserve Officers, Webster County Attorney’s Office and Dayton EMS.