On Thursday, November 5, 2026, at approximately 12:59 p.m., officers with the Council Bluffs Police Department were dispatched to the Heartland Family Services Peer Center, located at 3415 W. Broadway, in reference to an armed subject. Upon arrival, officers spoke with a Peer Center employee, identified as the victim (George McGinness).
McGinness reported that an adult male driving a red pickup truck had been in the facility’s parking lot yelling and cursing at a client. When McGinness approached the vehicle and instructed the driver to leave the property, the suspect allegedly pointed a black, semi-automatic style pistol out of the passenger window directly at McGinness and threatened to shoot him before fleeing the scene. No injuries were reported during the altercation.
Through witness statements at the scene and a photo lineup, officers identified the suspect as Edward Peters. Police records led officers to a residence at 3125 3rd Avenue, where they located a red 2003 Chevrolet pickup matching the witness description in the driveway.
After observing movement at the front door of the residence, responding officers established a secure perimeter around the home. Crisis Negotiators used a vehicle public address system to announce law enforcement’s presence and order Peters to exit the residence peacefully. There was no response to the announcements.
Officers obtained a search warrant for the residence and an arrest warrant for Peters. Once these were active, the Emergency Services Team responded and entered the residence. Peters was located inside and taken into custody.
Peters was charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Harassment 1st Degree, and Interference with Official Acts. He was booked at the Pottawattamie County Jail.
The public is reminded that charges are not evidence against the defendants, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
