Man wanted for fatal shooting and carjacking killed by police in Iowa
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A man who was wanted in connection with a fatal shooting and armed carjacking in Nebraska has been shot and killed by police officers in Iowa following a high-speed chase.
The incident began on Saturday morning when police in Omaha, Nebraska, responded to a domestic assault call. They discovered that 41-year-old Matthew Briggs had broken into a home and assaulted a woman. Fortunately, the woman managed to escape unharmed.
Moments later, reports came in that Briggs had driven his car through the garage door of a neighboring home. When a concerned neighbor went to check on Briggs, he opened fire, but luckily, the neighbor was not injured.
Tragically, later in the morning, police were called to a third home where they found 52-year-old Steven Donsbach shot dead. Briggs was identified as a person of interest in the case.
In the afternoon, a Toyota Camry was carjacked in a suburban area of Omaha, and the suspect matched Briggs’ description. Officers spotted the stolen vehicle and a high-speed pursuit ensued.
The chase crossed state lines into Iowa, where in Council Bluffs, the stolen car crashed. Two officers, one from Omaha and one from Council Bluffs, then fired their weapons at Briggs. He was transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
The Omaha Police Department did not provide specifics regarding the shooting, but they did confirm that two guns were recovered from the stolen vehicle driven by Briggs.
Both officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation is conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation.
This case highlights the collaboration between law enforcement agencies in both Nebraska and Iowa and the dedication of officers to ensuring public safety. Authorities are hopeful that the investigation will shed light on the motive behind the violent spree and bring closure to the victims and their families.
As the investigation continues, residents in both states are urged to remain vigilant and report any further information related to this case to the appropriate authorities.