Harlan Shooting Incident Ruled Justified by Attorney General
In a tragic turn of events, the Iowa Attorney General's Office has ruled the fatal shooting of a Harlan man by Shelby County deputies justified. The investigation reveals urgent circumstances and the complex dynamics that unfolded during the welfare check.
The Iowa Attorney General's Office has determined that the shooting of a Harlan man by a Shelby County deputy on March 6 was legally justified. This decision follows an independent investigation conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Law enforcement responded to a 911 call regarding a welfare check after David Robert Plagmann shared a concerning photo online. When deputies arrived at his home on College Place, Plagmann was armed with a rifle and failed to comply with commands to drop his weapon. Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, he threatened suicide and pointed the rifle at the deputy, prompting a backup officer to fire and fatally wound him.
Additionally, investigators found Plagmann’s girlfriend, 31-year-old Alexis Martin, deceased in a nearby vehicle. Evidence at the scene suggested further alarming circumstances.
Attorney General Brenna Bird's office concluded that the responding officer acted in self-defense and to protect public safety.
For more details, visit the original article.
