DES MOINES [KIMT-TV] — The Iowa Attorney General’s Office announced today (Wednesday, Oct. 1st) that the fatal shooting of Michael Patrick Broyles on August 27 in Council Bluffs, was legally justified. The incident involved officers from the Iowa State Patrol, Council Bluffs Police Department, and Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.

The confrontation began when Iowa State Trooper Zach Jensen attempted to stop Broyles on Interstate 29 in Harrison County. Broyles failed to stop immediately and later exited the highway, confronting Jensen with a shotgun. Despite commands to disarm, Broyles fled toward Council Bluffs, and multiple agencies joined the pursuit. The AG’s report states Broyles eventually stopped under an I-29 overpass, where he ignored further commands to surrender. Officers used pepper ball guns unsuccessfully to subdue him. Broyles pointed his shotgun at officers, prompting them to fire.

Broyles returned fire before officers incapacitated him. He was later confirmed dead at a local hospital. Investigators found evidence at the scene, including shotgun shells and a firearm. The AG’s report says Broyles, identified through fingerprints, had a history of confrontations with law enforcement in Alaska and had expressed a refusal to return to jail.

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