Erratic suspect raises gun at Iowa police officers, gets shot in return [VIDEOS]

The Cedar Rapids Police Department stood by the actions of its officers in a detailed explanation released Tuesday afternoon about a fatal officer-involved shooting that took place in April.

David Vanderhamm, 39, of Cedar Rapids, lost his life after a standoff with law enforcement on April 6.

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The incident unfolded when Vanderhamm's mother urgently called police for help in the 200 block of 31st Street NE, expressing concern for her son's well-being, disclosing his access to a firearm and describing his erratic behavior

Despite efforts to get Vanderhamm the help he needed by transporting him to the hospital, he refused treatment and left with his stepfather.

However, matters escalated later in the day when Vanderhamm called the police, expressing hostile intentions toward law enforcement officers.

Police Chief David Dostal explained that officers tried to diffuse the situation through verbal instructions and had prepared tactical strategies, including the deployment of less lethal means.

However, Vanderhamm's defiance made lethal force a last resort.

In the body camera footage, officers made efforts to subdue Vanderhamm, with a discussion about using a taser for control.

Although specific details about the employment of the taser have not been disclosed according to the CRPD statement, the video claims that the stepfather's attempts to intervene left him caught in the crossfire and suffering serious injuries.

The aftermath revealed the stepfather's revelation that Vanderhamm had harbored intentions to instigate a fatal confrontation with the police, a situation known as “suicide by police”.

After the incident, it was determined that the weapon in Vanderhamm's possession, an air rifle that resembled a real firearm, was misinterpreted in the heat of the moment, leading to lethal actions by part of the forces of order.

The Iowa attorney general's office agreed with that assessment about two weeks ago, ruling that the shooting was justified.