Waterloo Police Officers Exonerated In April Shooting

Waterloo police officers used justified force when they shot and injured a man outside a local nightclub in April, the Iowa Attorney General's Office ruled on Monday (Aug. 24, 2015).

The decision clears officers Steve Nissen, Thomas Frein and Steve Bose of any wrong-doing in the April 5th incident that injured Jovan Webb, 27. The three policemen were among several Waterloo officers called to the New World Lounge 2, 504 Riehl Street, to disperse a large group of people potentially engaged in a fight. There was also a report that gunshots had been fired near the same location.

According to state officials, Webb was shot five times as he tried to drive away from the nightclub after police arrived at the scene. He allegedly tried to flee in a car after several attempts to hit officer Bose with the vehicle.

As Webb began to drive away, Nissen pulled his service weapon and fired four shots through the windshield toward Webb. Immediately after, Frein followed the vehicle on foot and fired three shots into the vehicle. Both Nissen and Frein indicated that they believed Bose had been hit by Webb, possibly that Bose may have been run over or was potentially being dragged by the vehicle Webb was driving.

Bose, however, was able to jump out of the way. He was treated for a knee abrasion and sore shoulder at a local hospital and was later released.

Webb drove himself to Unity Point-Allen Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for multiple gunshot wounds. Webb survived the shooting.

According to the information released by state officials, a .22-caliber pistol was later found on the floor of Webb's car when police searched the vehicle at Allen Hospital.

Webb denies the allegations against him. In July, he filed a federal lawsuit against the city and officers Frein and Nissen in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids, claiming the officers used excessive force.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) conducted a probe into the shooting incident at the request of Waterloo police. The DCI then forwarded its findings to the Attorney General's office for review.

Based on the findings, the Attorney General's office found that "the force used by the officers was justified and was not a criminal act. The actions of the officers were reasonable under the circumstances."

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office considers the criminal investigation into the officers’ conduct closed. State officials indicated that Webb may be charged in the case.