Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety said late Saturday night, that authorities were investigating an officer-involved shooting incident that took place in Ottumwa. At approximately 8:55-a.m. Saturday, a call came into the Ottumwa Police Department dispatch center in reference to a house fire at 416 Waverly Avenue in Ottumwa. The caller also said that a male subject was outside shooting a rifle at the same house.

Ottumwa officers responded to the scene and upon arrival confronted the subject.  Officers gave commands for the subject to drop the rifle but the man refused.  He allegedly raised the rifle at officers in a threatening manner, who then  shot the subject. Officers immediately began life saving measures on the man, and the Ottumwa Fire Department was called to extinguish the fire.

The subject was transported to the Ottumwa Regional Medical Center and underwent surgery for his injuries.  A report on his condition was not immediately available. The officers involved with the incident were placed on paid administrative leave, per Ottumwa Police Department policy.

The Ottumwa Police Department requested the assistance of the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).   The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) State Fire Marshal Division (SFM) and Iowa State Patrol (ISP) also assisted with the investigation.

In a separate incident that occurred at the same scene, 49-year old Gerald Porter, was arrested for possession with intent to deliver more than five grams of methamphetamine. Porter was arrested after the officer-involved shooting.  His arrest was NOT associated with the shooting. No additional information was released.