Officer-Involved Shooting Shakes Harlan Community
A recent officer-involved shooting in Harlan has left the community reeling. Authorities are investigating the tragic incident that resulted in the death of a 36-year-old man, revealing unsettling connections to another homicide. Stay informed as details unfold.
Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Harlan, Iowa, on March 6, 2025. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office sought assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation following the incident.
Law enforcement responded to a welfare check near College Place around 4:30 a.m. Upon arrival, they found 36-year-old David Plagmann armed with a rifle. After a 30-minute negotiation, Plagmann threatened a deputy with the weapon, resulting in law enforcement shooting him. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
During the investigation at the scene, officers discovered the body of 31-year-old Alexis Martin, believed to have been killed by Plagmann. The officer involved in the shooting, Captain Chad Butler, is a veteran with 25 years at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
This ongoing investigation will be reviewed by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office once completed. For further updates, residents are encouraged to stay informed through local news outlets.
To read the full article and stay updated, visit the original source: https://westerniowatoday.com/2025/03/14/update-on-shelby-county-officer-involved-shooting/
