Decatur County, IOWA — This afternoon 16 year old Chance Newton of Kellerton, Iowa faces two counts of Attempted Murder after leading law enforcement on a pursuit through Decatur County and shooting a weapon at several officers. Additional charges are pending.
On Monday, January 14, 2013, Ringgold County law enforcement received a report of a stolen Blue Ford Focus.
Then at approximately 5:00 AM today, January 15, 2013, a Ringgold County Sheriff’s Deputy located the stolen car. When attempting to stop the vehicle, the driver, now identified as Newton, led the Deputy on a short pursuit. The Deputy soon lost sight of the stolen car.
At approximately 6:20 AM, Newton and the stolen vehicle were relocated in Kellerton, Iowa. Again, Newton evaded officers and a second pursuit began. Law enforcement from the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office, Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol followed Newton eastbound on Highway 2 to Leon, Iowa. The pursuit then continued north on Highway 69 out of Leon. The pursuit ended when Newton lost control and crashed along 240th Avenue, just north of 150th Street in rural Decatur County.
As officers drove upon Newton’s crashed vehicle, Newton fired his weapon. Several rounds struck both a Decatur County Deputy’s car and a State Trooper’s car. After firing at the officers, Newton fled on foot into a nearby field. The officers driving the vehicles that received fire were transported for medical treatment; their injuries are non-life threatening.
No officers involved in the pursuit returned fire.
At approximately 9:00 AM, Newton was located roughly one and a half miles away from the crash scene at rural farm house. He was taken into custody without incident.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation continues to investigate this incident.