DES MOINES – Iowa man is dead after erratic behavior and firing shots on an Interstate in the Des Moines metro area.
According to police, the suspect in this incident has been identified as 25-year-old Robert Nolan Belshe of Ankeny. Following is a timeline of events that occurred on 04/16/20:
- At approximately 12:25 hrs, a white truck, believed to operated by Belshe, is observed on I235 in the 4700 blk eastbound stopping on the inside shoulder. Witnesses reported that the driver of the truck fired shots into the air then backed up on the shoulder to 50th St. The truck then abruptly left eastbound on I235. Officers did recover shell casings on the interstate in that area.
- At 12:30 hrs, Belshe was traveling southbound on Valley West Dr. in the 500 block where he made an abrupt U turn and fired a shot at another motorist. Belshe left northbound on Valley West Dr. The driver of that vehicle was uninjured.
- At 12:34 hrs, Westcom communications was notified that more shots were being fired at Quik Trip, 1400blk 22nd St. Belshe rammed another vehicle in the lot at Quik Trip and fired additional shots at other vehicles. He went into the store, did not fire any rounds or threaten anyone in the store.
- At 12:35 Belshe exits the store and is contacted by police. Belshe immediately and abruptly shoots himself without talking with police.
- Belshe was subsequently transported to the hospital and succumbed to his injuries late last evening.
No civilians were injured during any of the above shooting incidences.
At this time, detectives are still investigating this case. A motive for these shooting incidences has not been identified.
Thank you Robert Nolan Belshe, for adding a little chlorine to the gene pool.
And the world is just that much better.
Thank you Robert Nolan Belshe, for not putting law enforcement officers in the unenviable position of having to shoot you in order to protect the public. Job well done.