Washington police report crash, shots fired Saturday night

WASHINGTON — City law enforcement officials said they found “an abandoned vehicle with extensive front-end damage” and “several spent shell casings nearby” after a caller reported a crash and the sound of gunshots at the intersection of East Madison Street and South Ninth Avenue around 10:20 p.m. Saturday.

In a news release shared Sunday afternoon, Washington Police Chief Jim Lester said the investigation was ongoing, but reported no injuries.

“This appears to be a targeted incident,” he said. “We do not believe there is any ongoing risk to the public.”

A Call For Service log for the evening said a vehicle hit a stop sign before a male “got out (and) fired five to six gunshots down the street” before leaving the scene on foot.

Police said an individual called the department Sunday morning saying they were “involved in the incident and had gunshot damage to their vehicle.” Both cars were impounded with assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, which the news release said “recovered additional evidence from both vehicles.”

The police blotter said “all city and county units responded and searched the area” shortly after the call came in, but did not report any findings from the search.

Lester ended his report by urging anyone with information to contact the police department at 319-653-2107, and asked anyone with video cameras on South Second Avenue and East Madison Street to review their footage from Sunday night.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com