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Iowa trooper remains under investigation for firing gun during pursuit

A veteran Iowa State Trooper remained on the job as police continue to investigate a pursuit that included her firing a shot at the suspect vehicle in Washingto...

A veteran Iowa State Trooper remained on the job as police continue to investigate a pursuit that included her firing a shot at the suspect vehicle in Washington County, Iowa.

The pursuit began when a possible silver Dodge Charger, possibly involved in retail thefts in the Cedar Rapids area, was spotted traveling south on Interstate 380 at mile marker 4 at about 1 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2015.   The driver did not stop when a state trooper tried to pull over the vehicle, and the chase began.  The chase continued through Johnson County and into a gas station in the Kalona/Lone Tree area in Washington County.  That’s when the Charger hit a Johnson County deputy’s squad car, and Trooper Jewel O’Rear fired a single shot at the Charger, according to the state patrol.

The shot hit the driver’s side rear tire of the Charger.  No one was hurt, police said.  The three women in the Charger, who are all from St. Louis, were arrested.

“The (Division of Criminal Investigation) has interviewed Trooper O’Rear.  Her interview, along with other investigative facts that have been collected, will be forwarded to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office for review,” said an October 6 update from the Iowa State Patrol.

“Trooper O’Rear is a 15 year veteran of DPS, and has been employed as a State Trooper for 7 years. She remains on duty for the Iowa State Patrol,” the update said.

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