OFFICIAL MEMORANDUM OF THE LINN COUNTY

ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
RE: Officer Involved Shooting – Jan. 1, 2024
DATE: Feb. 19, 2024
For Immediate Public Release

Background
The use of deadly force by a peace officer is a matter of serious consequence
warranting careful investigation and thorough review. In the State of Iowa, it is the
general consensus among County Attorneys that it is the duty of the County Attorney,
as the chief law enforcement official of his or her jurisdiction, to be available for
consultation and lend assistance in the investigation and evaluation of Officer-Involved
Shooting (hereinafter “OIS”) incidents in a timely, objective, and professional manner.
One of the duties of the Linn County Attorney is to evaluate OIS incidents to determine
whether criminal charges may be warranted.
Timeline
On Jan. 1, 2024, there was an OIS incident that took place in the 5600 block of Mt.
Vernon Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Cedar Rapids Police Department requested
that the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) investigate the OIS incident. The Cedar
Rapids Police Department advised Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks later in the day
on Jan. 1, 2024, of the OIS. Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks received updates on
the investigation and some case materials over the next several weeks, including a
summary of preliminary autopsy findings. On or about Jan. 26, 2024, DCI Agent Joshua
Guhl delivered a nearly complete set of investigative reports, body cam and squad car
videos, photographs, and videos of interviews conducted of the officers involved, absent
the final autopsy report and ballistics findings from the DCI laboratory, which were still
outstanding. On Feb. 7, 2024, DCI Agent Joshua Guhl sent the County Attorney’s Office
an updated Brief of Key Investigative Findings still absent the final ballistics report and
autopsy report. In some cases, these final reports are necessary to make pertinent
factual findings and reach legal conclusions, however, due to the uncertainty of when
those reports will be completed, Linn County Attorney Maybanks has decided he has

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enough information to move forward with making findings and reaching conclusions.
On Feb. 13, 2024, the DCI submitted to Linn County Attorney Maybanks a Crime Scene
Report. Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks has completed the factual findings and
conclusions for this OIS as set forth in this Official Memorandum.
Factual Findings

On Jan. 1, 2024, at 6:24 a.m., the Cedar Rapids Police Department (hereinafter, “CRPD”)
dispatch center received two reports from the 1900 block of C Ave. NE of gunshots coming
from a shiny sedan near the intersection of Longwood Dr. NE and C Ave. NE in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa. Officer Andrew Tran responded to the area and made contact with a witness
near that location by approximately 6:30 a.m. Officer Robert Boyer also then arrived on the
scene.
Initial Response to Shots Fired Call
At 6:32 a.m., Officer Tran observed a gray Hyundai Sonata turn west onto C Ave. NE from
southbound Longwood Dr. NE and drive by his squad car. The Hyundai was occupied by
two white males and the rear license plate appeared to be intentionally obscured. The
Hyundai left the area quickly and Officer Tran followed the vehicle in an attempt to make a
stop while Officer Boyer stayed with the resident witness who had been speaking with
Officer Tran. At 6:33 a.m., Officer Tran relocated and observed the Hyundai that was
already trying to evade him. As the vehicle turned northbound from C Ave. NE to 16th St.
NE, at 6:33:19, Officer Tran activated the top lights and sirens in his marked squad car and
a pursuit started. At 6:35 a.m., near eastbound B Ave and northbound 19th St NE, the
material obscuring the license plate blew off and revealed an Iowa registration plate of
LAG489, which came back to a 2009 gray Hyundai Sonata registered to Christopher and
Chrisila Griffin, parents of Michael Griffin, who was later determined to be the driver. (The
driver of the vehicle will hereinafter be referred to as “Griffin”). More units joined the pursuit
including Officers Phil Meyer, Christopher Hettinger, and Jonathan McDowell. Officer Tran
continued to pursue Griffin as he traveled westbound in the oncoming lane of traffic on 1st
Ave.

Tran squad car cam.

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While other officers pursued Griffin, Officer Boyer radioed that according to a witness, the
vehicle that officers were pursuing matched the suspect vehicle from the earlier shots fired
call. Therefore, officers knew they were pursuing a vehicle that had just been the suspect
vehicle in a shots-fired call. In the approximate 1000 block of 1st Ave., stop sticks were
deployed in an attempt to stop Griffin, however, Griffin performed an evasive maneuver
avoiding the stop sticks.

Contact with the Passenger of the Suspect Vehicle

At 6:37 a.m., near the intersection of eastbound A Ave. NE and 11th St. NE, a passenger
exited the Hyundai.

Tran squad car cam.

The passenger was apprehended by CRPD Officer Phil Meyer and identified as Dylan
Smith, who identified the driver of the Hyundai as “Mike” Griffin. He indicated that Griffin
was in possession of an AR-15 rifle. Smith advised Officer Meyer that Griffin had just
fired a gun at a residence on Longwood Dr. NE and that Griffin had an AR-15 and a
handgun in the car. Smith later told CRPD Investigator Stacy Baye that when Dylan got
into the car with Griffin that Griffin already had the AR-15 out but that this was not
abnormal for Griffin because Griffin always had guns on him. He described to
Investigator Baye exactly how Griffin fired upon a residence on Longwood Dr. NE.

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Dylan told Investigator Baye that he overheard Griffin tell his mom during the police
pursuit, “Mom, I`m going to jail. I have [his brother’s] AR and his pistol. This is it, Mom. I`m
going to shoot at them. I`m going to try and kill them. If not, this is it for me."

Investigator Sarah Lacina interviewed Dylan Smith further at the CRPD. He laid out the
events of the evening for her. Smith said he had been at a party at the Reserve on 66th
and met up with Michael Griffin. They left the party around 2 a.m. in Griffin’s Hyundai
Sonata, with Griffin driving. Griffin was in possession of a 9mm pistol. They originally
planned on going to a party and went to the location where this party was supposed to be
but ended up at another friend’s residence at that time where Smith fell asleep. Smith
stated Griffin woke him up and stated he was going to take Smith home. They got back
into the Hyundai. Smith said Griffin was now in possession of an AR-15. He told Smith he
had to handle some business. He told Smith another subject who went by the nickname,
“Swervo”, had stolen his gun so they proceeded to the house they had been at earlier for
the party. Griffin then parked across the street and went to the door of the house and
spoke to a female subject for a few minutes. Griffin then returned to the car, turned
toward the house, and shot the AR-15 at the house multiple times. Smith stated they
drove away and then returned to the residence a short time later and there was a CRPD
squad car in the area. Smith said that is when Griffin led the police on a chase. Smith
said Griffin called his mother during the pursuit and told her things like he wasn’t going to
jail and that “tonight’s the night.” Smith said Griffin told his mother he was going to shoot at
the cops. Smith begged Griffin to let him out and Griffin finally pulled over and let him out.
Smith said Griffin drove away and a few moments later Smith heard gunshots. Smith said
Griffin had gone through a suicidal phase in the past.

First Incident of Suspect Firing at Police

Approximately 20 seconds after Smith was dropped off, near the intersection of 1st
Ave. E and 12 St. SE, Officer Tran, who was still pursuing Griffin as the primary vehicle,
observed a firearm come out of the driver’s side window at which time Griffin fired upon
Officer Tran as well as at another Cedar Rapids Police squad car that was facing
westbound at that intersection.

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Tran squad car cam

Officer Tran quickly maneuvered his squad car to the right when the shots were fired.

Hettinger/McDowell squad car cam.

Officers Pursue Suspect Vehicle to Mount Vernon Road SE

The pursuit continued through several neighborhoods and then onto Mount Vernon Road
SE where Griffin veered into oncoming traffic at the intersection with 19th St. SE and
then reached speeds of approximately 75-80 mph while traveling eastbound until he
reached 42nd St. SE, where he drove southbound into and then out of the parking lot of the

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Hy-Vee on Mount Vernon Road SE. Officer Tran called out for an officer who was PIT
certified to engage the Hyundai. At this point, Officers Hettinger and McDowell turned
around and followed the Hyundai as it exited the Hy-Vee parking lot and proceeded
westbound on Mount Vernon Road becoming the primary pursuit vehicle as Griffin went
southbound on 39th St. SE to a dead-end cul-de-sac, turned around and came back out on
to Mount Vernon Road. Heading north on 39th St. SE, Griffin nearly struck a squad car
driven by Sgt. Graham Campshure, who had joined the pursuit.

Campshure squad car cam.

Second Incident of Suspect Vehicle Firing at Police

At 6:43 a.m., at Mount Vernon Road and 39th St SE, Griffin fired at officers by
shooting out the back window. Officers Hettinger and McDowell reported gunshots were
fired from the Hyundai and the back window of the vehicle shattered near that location. No
casings were recovered at the scene, however, six 5.56 casings stamped, “LC 22” were
later recovered inside of the Hyundai.

Griffin then proceeded eastbound on Mount Vernon Road. SE driving into the oncoming
lane of travel at East Post Road and Mount Vernon Road SE.

Officer Loren Culver Directs Suspect Vehicle Off the Roadway

Officer Loren Culver then joined the pursuit and took the secondary position from Officer
Tran and then passed Officers Hettinger and McDowell and at 6:44 a.m., in the 5600 block
of Mt. Vernon Road SE. Officer Culver used a tactical driving intervention maneuver
to force Griffin off the roadway and into the ditch, where the Hyundai then collided

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with a utility pole. Officer Culver employed this pit maneuver at approximately 6:44:19
per his squad car camera.

Culver squad car cam.

Culver squad car cam.

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Culver squad car cam.

Final Gunshot from the Suspect Vehicle

Griffin remained in the driver's seat as officers gave verbal commands for him to surrender.
On the scene at this point were five CRPD Officers: Officer Hettinger, Officer McDowell,
Officer Culver, Sgt. Graham Campshure, and Officer Dylan Hall. Officers instructed Griffin
to put his hands up and show himself at approximately 6:44:30. Officers continued to
give these instructions until the final command was given at approximately 6:44:52 to
show his hands. At 6:44:55, an officer can be heard saying what sounds like, “he’s
reaching,” and then at 6:44:56, there is the sound and sight of a gunshot from the
Hyundai. Officers then fired gunshots at the Hyundai for seven seconds from
6:44:56 to 6:45:03 until an order is given to cease fire.

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Culver squad car cam.

Campshure body cam.

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Hettinger/McDowell squad car cam.1

Summary of Shots Fired by CRPD Officers

A total of forty-two 9mm rounds and twenty-one .223 rifle rounds were discharged by
CRPD officers, determined as follows:

- Sgt. Graham Campshure fired twenty-one .223 rounds from a Rock River LAR-15;
- Officer Loren Culver fired seven 9mm rounds from a Glock 17 Gen 5;
- Officer Christopher Hettinger fired four 9mm rounds from a Glock 17 Gen 5;
- Officer Jonathan McDowell fired sixteen 9mm rounds from a Glock 17 Gen 5;
- Officer Dylan Hall fired fifteen 9mm rounds from a Glock 17 Gen 5.

A total of 63 rounds were fired at the Hyundai containing Griffin.

Summary of CRPD Pursuit of Suspect Vehicle

The time from when Office Tran activated his lights and sirens to when officers fired
upon the Hyundai was just over 11 minutes.

1
Note the gun smoke in the air.

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Map showing the pursuit by CRPD of Griffin, while Griffin eluded them.

Approach and Examination of Suspect Vehicle

At 6:46 a.m., a team of officers approached the Hyundai behind Officer Hettinger and his
ballistic shield.

Hettinger/McDowell squad car cam.

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Upon approach to the Hyundai, Griffin was observed with an AR-15 on his lap. Griffin’s
right hand was still on the pistol. The muzzle was directed toward the open door. Officer
Boyer had also arrived on the scene at this point. At 6:46 a.m., Officer Boyer approached
the passenger side of the vehicle, observed the AR-15 in Griffin’s lap and Griffin’s right-
hand thumb inside the trigger guard as well as blood and skin near the ejection port. He
secured the AR-15 from the passenger side of the Hyundai by pulling the buttstock toward
him.

Boyer body cam.

The AR-15 was then leaned up against the passenger side of the Hyundai. The AR-15 had
red parts to it. Lt. Nathan Juilfs had arrived on the scene by that point.

AR-15 used by Griffin to fire at officers.

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At 6:47 a.m., Lt. Juilfs approached the vehicle and grabbed Griffin by both hands. He
could see there was blood coming from Griffin’s head and Griffin was experiencing agonal
breathing. Lt. Julifs grabbed his wrists in an attempt to remove Griffin from the vehicle
causing Griffin’s head to tilt to the left and a large piece of his skull to come off causing a
large quantity of biological matter to spill onto the grassy area near the roadway. Lt. Juilfs
discovers Griffin to be obviously deceased with an apparent fatal head injury.

Lt. Julifs then identified the officers who fired shots and began making arrangements for
them to be transported back to the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

Lt. Juilfs contacted Medical Examiner Investigator Alisha Weber and Griffin’s body was
placed inside a body bag and taken from the scene. Lt. Juilfs noted what appeared to be
one small bullet hole in Griffin’s hood.

Lt. Juilfs then examined the AR-15 that Officer Boyer had removed from Griffin’s
possession and found that the firearm safety was in the fire position, there was not a round
in the chamber, and it was loaded with a magazine that still had bullets inside of it.

Contact with the Parents of the Suspect

Lt. Juilfs then made contact with Griffin’s parents on the scene. They informed Lt. Julifs
Griffin had obtained his brother’s gun, which he had access to and had contacted them
while officers were pursuing him, which led them to the scene. They informed him Griffin
was on medication for bipolar disorder and manic depression. They informed him Griffin’s
medication had not been working and they were trying to get the medication readjusted.
Griffin’s father inquired as to whether any officers were harmed and expressed relief upon
learning officers were physically unharmed.

Investigator Lacina further interviewed Chrisila Griffin, Griffin’s mother, at the CRPD. She
said she was on the phone with Griffin when this happened. Chrisila then said he was not
officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder yet, but they were following up with his normal
mental health doctor. She said Griffin had left the house that night at 10 p.m. on Dec. 31,
2023, and came home around 4:45 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2024. She did not know he had left
again until he called around 6:34 a.m. He told her the cops were chasing him, she told him
to stop and surrender and he was adamant that he was not going to go to jail. Chrisila
reported the chase came near their home and she could hear the sirens, so she and her
husband followed them to the scene. Griffin also told his mother things such as, “I’m not
stopping,” “I love you,” and “I’m going to die.” Griffin also indicated he was going to shoot
“them” referring to police. The last thing Griffin told his mother was that he loved her and
then she reported hearing gunfire. Chrisila reported her other son, Zach, had multiple guns
in the home that were not kept locked up and that Griffin would have access to them,
including the AR-15 used in this incident. Chrisila stated Griffin talked about suicide in the
past, as well as about going on a shooting spree. In her opinion, she did not believe he
wanted to shoot and kill the police but wanted the police to kill him.

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 CRPD Contacts DCI to take over the OIS
CRPD Sergeant Chris Bieber contacted the Iowa State Patrol and made contact with DCI
Special Agent in Charge Joe Lestina, who assigned DCI Special Agent Guhl to head the
investigation with the assistance of other Special Agents.

DCI Crime Scene Team (CST) Criminalists, Kelsey Goemaat and Madison Martin
arrived at CRPD and were briefed. CST requested the assistance of an Iowa State
Patrol (ISP) reconstructionist to measure the scene with a drone and total station.

DCI CST extensively examined and documented the scene of the OIS. All vehicles were
facing in an easterly direction. Numerous fired 9mm and .223 casings were located on the
roadway and grassy area where officers had discharged their weapons.

Crime Scene Investigators noted extensive damage to the Hyundai from the collision with
the utility pole and numerous possible bullet holes to the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
Multiple bullet fragments were located and collected from various areas inside and outside
of the vehicle. Six fired .223 5.56 casings labeled “LC 22” were found inside of the
vehicle. There were also three fired 9mm casings in the vehicle and one live round of S &
B 19 9x19 ammunition. There was evidence in the vehicle of alcohol consumption by the
occupants. The Hyundai was still shifted into drive and had the keys in the ignition.

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The AR-15 that was recovered from Griffin was further examined by investigators and
biological matter was found inside the muzzle device/barrel of the firearm that was
consistent with back spatter and a contact/close-range shot. There was also spatter
on the console and dash of the Hyundai that was indicative of back spatter.

Griffin’s body was transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny,
Iowa, and preliminary findings indicated that Griffin died from a single contact range
gunshot to the forehead. The gunshot wound was determined to be close/contact
range due to evidence such as stippling and searing that were visible at the
entrance wound. Stippling was also visible on Griffin’s skull, again indicating a
close/contact range gunshot. Griffin also had minor lacerations and abrasions from
possible debris/shrapnel, in this instance believed to have been from glass and metal
fragments from the shots fired into the vehicle by law enforcement officers. Fragments of a
single bullet were recovered from Griffin’s head. Griffin had no other gunshot wounds.

Other follow-up investigations were conducted at the location of the original shooting call
and at the location where officers first reported that Griffin fired at them.

Crime Scene Examinations of Location of the Original Shooting and

Shots Fired at Police

CRPD Crime Scene Unit Investigator Martin Eganhouse responded to the scene of the
initial shooting in the 400 block of Longwood Dr. NE and examined the home at 414
Longwood Dr. NE that Griffin had fired upon. He noted bullet holes to the van in the
driveway and that the back glass of the van had been shattered. Investigator Eganhouse
collected fifteen 5.56 NATO casings marked “LC 22” from in front of 408 Longwood
Dr. NE where Griffin had fired upon 414 Longwood Dr. NE. There were 13 bullet holes
in the home at 414 Longwood Dr. NE in various areas. Trajectory rods were placed in the
bullet holes and all shots were determined to have been fired from where the shell casings
were collected in front of 408 Longwood Dr. NE.

CRPD Investigator Sean Kinkead responded to the 100 block of 12th St. SE where
officers had reported being fired upon by Griffin and collected seven 5.56 NATO
casings marked “LC 22.”

DCI Crime Scene Team Criminal Madison Martin collected six 5.56 NATO casings
marked “LC 22” from inside of the Hyundai.

All casings appeared to be of the same type and were connected to the AR-15
found in Griffin’s possession inside of the Hyundai.

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 Interviews of Officers Involved
Interviews were conducted with the officers involved on Jan. 8, 2024. DCI Special Agent
Trent Vileta interviewed Officers McDowell, Hettinger, and Hall. DCI Agent Guhl
interviewed Sgt. Campshure and Officer Culver.

Officer Loren Culver

Officer Culver has been a full-time CRPD Officer since 1991. On Jan. 1, 2024, he had just
started his shift and was still at the CRPD when the initial report came out of gunfire in
the area of Longwood Dr NE and C Ave NE. Officer Culver initially located and briefly
joined the pursuit as the third CRPD unit. He remembered dispatch broadcasting the
name Mike Griffin as the driver of the Hyundai and that he was armed with an AR-15
and possibly another gun. Officer Culver stated he thought about his department-issued
ballistic vest and became concerned since it was not rated to stop rifle bullets. He then
stated he overheard a radio transmission of a request for a PIT-certified officer, and he
acknowledged the request. As Officer Culver was trying to catch up to the pursuit he
overheard a radio transmission of shots being fired at officers out the back window of
the Hyundai. He stated he felt a sense of urgency to get into position to PIT the Hyundai
after the second report of gunfire directed at officers.
Officer Culver said he was able to approach the Hyundai in the 5600 block of Mount
Vernon Dr. SE to conduct the PIT maneuver and recalled experiencing a pause in time.
During the pause in time, he thought about how other officers were being ordered to
back off because of the danger of receiving gunfire but determined that he needed to
close the distance to PIT the suspect vehicle.
Officer Culver said he thought about being shot and his death. Officer Culver stated he
wondered what being shot and dying would be like and how it would happen. Officer
Culver said he saw the faces of his wife and children and felt guilty for making such a
dangerous decision without consulting with them.
Officer Culver said he concentrated on the back quarter panel of the Hyundai and
contacted it with his squad car. Officer Culver advised his actions wouldn’t be
considered a proper PIT, but it worked in directing the Hyundai off the roadway. Officer
Culver said the Hyundai hit a utility pole and came to a stop.
Officer Culver said he saw the suspect wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sitting in the
driver's seat. Officer Culver stated he observed the suspect moving inside the Hyundai
and he had thoughts of him reloading a gun.
Officer Culver stated he heard a gunshot from the Hyundai, and he fired his gun at the
suspect. Officer Culver said he remembers pulling the trigger but didn’t hear his or any
other officer’s gunfire.
Officer Culver stated he stopped firing and yelled “cease fire” when he saw the
suspect's head slump down and to the left.
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Officer Culver said he advised dispatch “shots fired” and then heard someone else
transmit a request for an ambulance.
Officer Culver said he saw the suspect with a rifle and noticed his hand near the trigger.
Officer Culver stated that after shooting he realized he was alive and felt an
overwhelming feeling of stress subside. Officer Culver said he felt relieved that all the
officers were okay.
Officer Culver explained that he discharged his handgun in order to neutralize the threat
and he stopped firing when he observed the suspect slump over. Officer Culver stated
he chose to utilize his handgun over other options at his disposal because he has been
trained to match force with equal force and in this instance the suspect had already
used deadly force against them.
Officer Jonathan McDowell
Officer McDowell has been a full-time CRPD Officer for 4.5 years. Officer McDowell
stated he and Officer Hettinger joined the pursuit around the area of 1st Avenue and
Coe Road. Officer McDowell stated he heard several shots come from the suspect
vehicle and Officer Hettinger saw the driver of the vehicle with an AR-15. Officer
Hettinger told Officer McDowell the AR-15 was being pointed at him and Officer
Hettinger when it was fired. Officer McDowell stated the information regarding the AR-
15 being fired at them was immediately relayed to the other officers.
Officer McDowell stated the pursuit went into the area of 40th St. and Mt Vernon Road,
after the vehicle reached speeds of 70 mph and that is when a second group of shots
came from the suspect’s vehicle believed to be directed at them. They observed the
back window of the suspect’s vehicle break. He also saw the vehicle narrowly miss
crashing into several squad cars in this area.
After Officer Culver conducted the PIT maneuver in the 5600 Block of Mt Vernon Road,
Officer McDowell took over verbal commands to the driver of the vehicle to show his
hands. Officer McDowell reported there was an additional shot from the suspect vehicle
at which time Officer McDowell shot at the suspect.
Officer Dylan Hall
Officer Dylan Hall has been a full-time CRPD Officer for 2.5 years. Hall became the
secondary pursuit vehicle behind Officer Tran when the initial pursuit began and called
the pursuit out over the radio. Hall said when the pursuit hit Coe Road and 1st Avenue,
he heard 8-10 shots come from the suspect vehicle. Hall said he also saw something
which may have been the weapon.
Officer Hall reported the pursuit went from 12th Street to 10th Avenue, and around this
time the passenger from the vehicle had told officers there was an AR-15 and a pistol
inside of the suspect vehicle. Officer Hall said the vehicle being chased ran every stop
sign and stop light and was constantly speeding.

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Officer Hall was in the 5600 block of Mount Vernon Road SE after the vehicle struck a
utility pole and came to a stop. Officer Hall stated he could see the suspect
manipulating something with his hands, and another shot came from the suspect’s
vehicle. Hall stated the officers returned fire at the vehicle. He believed the shot could
have been intended for the officers at the scene. Officer Hall thought he shot maybe 6-8
rounds before he stopped shooting. Officer Hall noticed after the incident his body
camera had died at some time during the incident, so there was no body worn camera
footage from Officer Hall.
Officer Christopher Hettinger
Officer Christopher Hettinger has been a full-time CRPD for 4.5 years. Officers Hettinger
and his partner, Officer McDowell went to the area of 1st Avenue and 12th Street to
assist Officer Tran during the initial pursuit. When they arrived at the area, they
observed the Hyundai approach the intersection and pass in front of them. Officer
Hettinger observed the suspect point a black rifle at them and fire 6-8 times at
them. Officer Hettinger thought the suspect was trying to shoot an officer. He
remembered the rifle kind of looked like an AR-15 but added he was looking down the
barrel of the rifle. Officer Hettinger said when he was first shot at he was surprised to
see it and ducked down into his seat.
They became the fourth car in the pursuit at that time and they pursued the Hyundai to
the Hy-Vee on Mount Vernon Road where the suspect vehicle went into the Hy-Vee
parking lot. They became the primary pursuit vehicle and went south on 39th Street. On
Mount Vernon Road and 40th Street the suspect shot at them again and they
observed the rear window of the suspect vehicle shattering. Officer Hettinger said
he did not see the rifle, but he did observe the rear window shot out and he described
the window as completely shattered.
Officer Hettinger described arriving in the 5600 block of Mount Vernon Road SE after
the Hyundai came to a stop after striking the utility pole. He heard another shot come
from the Hyundai and that is when Hettinger fired at the Hyundai and Griffin, the
suspect.
Sergeant Graham Campshure
Sgt. Graham Campshure has been a full-time CRPD since 1998. He initially joined this
pursuit as the fourth unit and then moved into the third unit. Sergeant Campshure stated
discontinuing the pursuit wasn’t an option after the officers were fired upon and
observing the suspects driving. Sergeant Campshure said he noted the pursuit was
traveling upwards of 80 mph, and citizen traffic was light and yielding.
Sergeant Campshure described how the Hyundai went into and out of the cul-de-sac on
39th Street SE from Mount Vernon Road SE. He then described the Hyundai driving
directly at him. Sergeant Campshure said the suspect then drove around his squad car
and onto a yard. Sergeant Campshure stated the Hyundai was so close to him that he

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could clearly see the suspect in the driver's seat. Sergeant Campshure said the suspect
was a white male wearing a hooded sweatshirt. Sergeant Campshure said the pursuit
continued east on Mount Vernon Road SE and he heard gunshots again.
Sergeant Campshure requested Officer Culver proceed to the front of the pursuit to PIT
the Hyundai. Sergeant Campshure said he observed Officer Culver pass him and
eventually take over in the primary position.
Sergeant Campshure then described what happened when Officer Culver performed
the PIT maneuver, and the Hyundai came to a stop. He said he located a rifle inside the
rear of Officer Hettinger and McDowell’s squad car and then operated the charging
handle to chamber a round.
Sergeant Campshure stated there was a lot of yelling commands at the suspect. At the
same time, Sergeant Campshure said he saw the suspect moving around in the
Hyundai. Sergeant Campshure said he heard a “pop” which he recognized as a gunshot
from the Hyundai.
Sergeant Campshure said he fired the rifle until he heard someone yell, “cease fire.”
Sergeant Campshure stated he repeated the command of “cease fire” and then once
everyone stopped firing personnel checks were conducted.
Sergeant Campshure said they approached the Hyundai and an officer opened the
driver's door and they observed a rifle upon the suspect's lap. Sergeant Campshure
said the barrel end of the rifle was on the suspect's lap and the buttstock was near the
center armrest. Sergeant Campshure stated the suspect's hand was still on the
grip of the rifle and his thumb was inside the trigger guard.

Sergeant Campshure stated the actions of the suspect made him think of the danger to
officers and the public. Sergeant Campshure said the proximity of schools, hospitals,
colleges, and businesses during the pursuit and first gunshots from the suspect were a
concern.

Sergeant Campshure said he didn’t observe any actions from the suspect that would
indicate he intended to stop on his own. Additionally, he knew the suspect may have
also been involved in the original shooting report.

Sergeant Campshure advised before the OIS, he observed the suspect moving inside
the Hyundai and was concerned he may be reloading a weapon. Sergeant Campshure
said his intention of firing on the suspect was to stop the threat.

Sergeant Campshure described his emotions during this incident as scared for himself
and worried for the safety of the other officers. Sergeant Campshure added that the
time between the suspect hit the utility pole and the final gunshot was not sufficient for
officers to give a warning about the possible use of deadly force.

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 Legal Authority

“Reasonable force” means that force and no more which a reasonable person, in like
circumstances, would judge to be necessary to prevent an injury or loss and can include
deadly force if it is reasonable to believe that such force is necessary to avoid injury or
risk to one's life or safety or the life or safety of another, or it is reasonable to believe
that such force is necessary to resist a like force or threat. Iowa Code § 704.1.

A person is justified in the use of reasonable force when the person reasonably believes
that such force is necessary to defend oneself or another from any actual or imminent
use of unlawful force. Iowa Code Ann. 704.3.

The term “deadly force” means any of the following:

a. Force used for the purpose of causing serious injury.
b. Force which the actor knows or reasonably should know will create a strong
probability that serious injury will result.
c. The discharge of a firearm, other than a firearm loaded with less lethal
munitions and discharged by a peace officer, corrections officer, or corrections
official in the line of duty, in the direction of some person with the knowledge of
the person's presence there, even though no intent to inflict serious physical
injury can be shown.
d. The discharge of a firearm, other than a firearm loaded with less lethal
munitions and discharged by a peace officer, corrections officer, or corrections
official in the line of duty, at a vehicle in which a person is known to be.

Iowa Code § 704.2.

Conclusion

On Jan. 1, 2024, Cedar Rapids Police Officers Loren Culver, Dylan Hall, Jonathan
McDowell, Christopher Hettinger, and Graham Campshure used deadly force against
Michael Griffin, the driver of the 2009 Hyundai Sonata, when they shot 63 times at him
while he was inside his vehicle.

The deadly force was no more than a reasonable person in like circumstances, would
judge to be necessary to prevent injury to themselves. It was reasonable to believe this
deadly force was necessary to avoid injury or risk to their lives. It was necessary to
resist the threat of deadly force they faced when Griffin manipulated and fired an AR-15
from his vehicle after eluding them, driving recklessly, and dangerously toward other
vehicles and toward officers, and after shooting at officers on two previous occasions.

Cedar Rapids Police Officers Loren Culver, Dylan Hall, Jonathan McDowell, Christopher
Hettinger, and Graham Campshure were justified in the use of reasonable force
because they reasonably believed that such force was necessary to defend themselves
from the actual and imminent use of unlawful force against them by Michael Griffin.

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Griffin’s decisions and actions in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2024, caused this
incident to happen the way that it did. Griffin shot at and into a residence at 414
Longwood Dr. NE. Officer Tran responded to the area and saw Griffin and attempted to
stop him by activating his lights and sirens in his marked squad car. Griffin chose to
elude Cedar Rapids Police Officers and engaged them in a highly dangerous and
reckless high-speed pursuit at speeds of up to 75-80 mph.

At the intersection of 1st Avenue and 12th Street NE he shot at Officers Tran, Hettinger,
and McDowell. Griffin told the passenger in his vehicle and his own mother over the
phone that he was going to shoot at officers, that he did not want to go to jail, and
ultimately that he was prepared to die that morning. On 39th Street SE, he drove his
vehicle directly at Sgt. Graham Campshure and as he drove back onto Mount Vernon
Road SE, he again shot at Officers Hettinger and McDowell through the back window of
his vehicle.

At this point, it was clear Griffin had no regard for the lives of the officers, the public, or
himself. Officer Loren Culver directed Griffin’s vehicle off the road and neutralized it.
Officers gave him several directions to show himself and surrender. Instead of
surrendering and emerging from his vehicle, the evidence shows that Griffin used an
AR-15 to shoot himself in the forehead. Griffin’s manipulation of the gun inside of his
vehicle that was observed by officers and the fatal shot he fired at himself prompted
officers to fire into Griffin’s vehicle at him. Officers did not realize that Griffin had shot
himself and believed he was firing at them. The sixty-three shots fired by all officers
were discharged in rapid succession over the course of approximately seven seconds
when all officers still feared for their lives and safety and under circumstances wherein
the force was reasonable until the threat subsided or was neutralized.

Criminal charges against these officers are not warranted. Their actions on the morning
of Jan. 1, 2024, were taken to protect the community and to save their own lives.
Without question, this was clearly a justified shooting by these officers.

________________________________
Nicholas G. Maybanks
Linn County Attorney

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