CLAY COUNTY – A Northern Iowa man fleeing cops and firing a gun crashed through a construction zone before making the ultimate decision.
On November 19, 2024, at approximately 4:10 PM, a Clay county deputy initiated a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle near the intersection of 11″ St. SW and 11′” Ave SW in Spencer. The vehicle, a 1998 Red Chevrolet pickup truck, was driven by 30-year-old Andrew Phillips of Spirit Lake, Iowa.
The vehicle failed to stop for Law Enforcement and continued through the city limits of Spencer. During the pursuit Phillips displayed a firearm and discharged it one time outside of the vehicle window. The pursuit continued through the city limits of Spencer and went through the new construction zone of the Spencer Municipal Hospital located in the 100 block of East 11Th St. causing significant damage to the property. Phillips continued to drive until he reached the parking lot of the First Christian Church at 701 East 18th Street, at which time Phillips took his own life while still inside of the vehicle.
During this time, the Spencer Middle School and First Christian Church were place on lock down as a precautionary measure.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Spencer Police Dept, Iowa State DNR, Iowa State Patrol, Spencer Fire, Spencer Ambulance and Clay County Medical Examiner’s Office.