On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 12:49 PM, the Mason City Police Department responded to multiple calls of shots fired in the area around East State Street and Ohio Avenue. Residents in the area were able to provide information about what they heard and the location. Ultimately, officers identified a residence in the 10 block of North Ohio Avenue as the location where the shooting had occurred.
MCPD officers set up a perimeter and worked to reach resident(s) inside the house. That was unsuccessful. Police were able to reach the property owner who provided information about the number of residents. Out of an abundance of caution for the occupants, neighboring residents, and the responding patrol personnel, police applied for a search warrant and called in the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force Special Operations Group (SOG). After the search warrant was issued, SOG was able to safely secure the residence and insure that no one inside was injured.
During the incident, MCPD communicated with the Mason City Community School District about a plan for end of day dismissal. The primary concern in this effort was insure the safety of students who may need to travel in or near the area where police operations were underway. At a time when law enforcement personnel were short-handed, school officials committed to staffing street barricades to keep students from wandering into harm’s way. MCPD appreciates the support of the school staff who stepped up to staff traffic barricades.
MCPD is currently executing the search warrant at the residence. At this point, no other information is available about the investigation. One person was arrested at the scene for Interference with Official Acts. Anyone with information about the investigation should contact MCPD by calling 641-421-3636. There is no ongoing threat to the community from this matter.
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