Iowa cops searching for suspect who fired on officer

WEST DES MOINES – A white man dressed in black who allegedly opened fire on responding police as he prowled this suburban Iowa neighborhood is on the loose, hunted by authorities.

Police were called to 1124 Vine Street at 11:54 PM on February 2, 2026. The initial caller reported a man armed with a gun. As police arrived, the suspect fired his weapon. An officer found the offender, confronted him and fired back. The offender ran from the area on foot. West Des Moines police, along with officers from several neighboring agencies searched the area, but the suspect evaded capture.

The officer was not injured.

Police have recovered a spent shell casing near the scene. The suspect was described as a white male, dressed in black.

Police said they would continue to have a strong presence in the area as their investigation continued, and they sent police to area schools for extra protection.

Agencies assisting in the area search included Des Moines PD, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Clive PD, and Windsor Heights PD.

West Des Moines Police continued their search for this suspect. Investigators obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 600 block of 12th Street West Des Moines and another for a residence in the 1400 block of NW 81st Street Clive. The Suburban Emergency Response Team (SERT) assisted investigators by securing these homes. The suspect was not located.

West Des Moines detectives then identified the suspect as 20-year-old Andrew Clark (pictured at top) of West Des Moines. Detectives have obtained arrest warrants for Clark on charges of:

• Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer (B Felony)

• Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon (C Felony).

Anyone with information on Clark’s whereabouts is asked to call law enforcement.

Late Thursday, February 5, West Des Moines Police reported the arrest of Andrew Clark. Clark was wanted on charges of Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer (B Felony) and Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon (C Felony) after the late-night shooting on February 2, 2026.

Throughout the following days, West Des Moines investigators continued their attempts to locate Clark. The effort was supported by the Des Moines Police Department, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety. This group uncovered information providing a possible location for Clark. Acting on this information, investigators found Clark around 3:20 PM February 4, 2026, in Des Moines. He was taken into custody without incident. He has been transported to the Polk County Jail.