Suspect involved in Cedar Rapids officer-involved shooting has died, DCI says

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has announced the suspect involved in an officer-involved shooting in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday has died.

Cedar Rapids Police responded to the area of Oakland Road and H Avenue NE around 3:05 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 for a report of a shooting.

The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Travis McDermott, was displaying a firearm and refused attempts to de-escalate with police. Authorities say his continued actions placed the officers in fear of harm.

Two officers fired their weapons at McDermott, hitting him in the abdomen. Care was provided at the scene, but McDermott was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The two officers involved in the shooting have been placed on critical incident leave pending the results of a review by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and Linn County Attorney’s Office.

According to a criminal complaint, McDermott had been recorded allegedly stealing bottles of alcohol from a Hy-Vee location on multiple occasions in August and September. Charges on his record also include gun theft from Fleet Farm in May.

The investigation remains ongoing.

TV9 spoke with Ashley Fries, who lives adjacent to the site of the shooting. She said McDermott shot at the direction of her house unprovoked as her dog began barking.

“Fifteen years ago, I lived at the opposite end of this same street. I felt safer back then than I do now,” she said. “I don’t feel safe in my own bedroom now.“