Officer not charged in Dec. 3 shooting

MT. PLEASANT — An investigation conducted by the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office finds Henry County Sheriff Deputy Carlos Lopez used appropriate force in the officer involved shooting of Dec. 3. The male caller is also charged with domestic abuse.

The Jefferson County Attorney’s Office investigated the incident to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest between Henry County Attorney’s Office which works closely with involved officers.

Investigators utilized 911 call and radio audio, body camera recordings, photographic evidence, and transcripts/reports of DCI interviews to make this determination.

The investigation report submitted by Jefferson County Attorney Chauncy Moulding substantiates a number of claims from both officials and Shumaker.

Steven Lovell contacted Henry County Dispatch shortly after 10 p.m. Dec. 3 due to Samantha Shumaker holding him at gunpoint.

Mount Pleasant Police and Henry County Deputy Carlos Lopez arrived just over two minutes into Lovell’s call with dispatch.

The front door remained locked, and neither Shumaker nor Lovell responded when officers attempted to make contact.

Lovell escaped through a bathroom window.

“At approximately the six minute mark of the 911 recording, Shumaker tell dispatch that she has placed the weapon on the ground,” Moulding writes. “The dispatcher tells Shumaker to open the door for officers. Instead, Shumaker can be heard excitedly shout that ‘He (Lovell) is going out the back window!’”

The report states that Lopez’s body camera footage shows his perspective of a hand pointing a gun out the window following Lovell’s exit as Shumaker shouts, “I will shoot you.”

Lopez shouted “Hands” at Shumaker seven times over four seconds, and Shumaker retained possession of the gun.

He then fired five times at Shumaker. He hit her once in the arm wielding the gun. Remaining rounds hit the house and window frame.

Lopez then entered the home through the back door and applied a tourniquet to Shumaker’s arm.

The report only states “Lopez effected entry into the residence via the back door.”

“Based on this review, Deputy Lopez was entirely justified in his use of deadly force in this case,” Moulding writes. “Deputy Lopez’ actions were wholly appropriate under the circumstances.”

According to Moulding, “Lopez employed the appropriate amount of force to disarm the threat. Immediately thereafter, he entered the residence and delivered critical care to the woman before taking her into custody, all apparently on his own.”

“Deputy Lopez’ actions of Dec. 3, 2022 are worthy of meritorious commendation, and his decision to employ deadly force was consistent with Iowa Law.”

Lovell has since been charged with a simple misdemeanor of Domestic Abuse — first offense.

The District Court of Henry County issued a warrant for Lovell’s arrest. He is currently out on a $300 bond.

A court date is set for Dec. 21 for Lovell’s charges.

Charges of an aggravated misdemeanor for domestic abuse with a weapon remain against Shumaker, at this time.

The preliminary hearing will happen Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. for these charges.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com