Authorities in Pottawattamie County have identified the Sheriff’s Deputies who were shot during the escape of a prisoner late Monday morning. Council Bluffs Police Chief Tim Carmody said in a Press Release that “On Monday, May 1, 2017 at approximately 1055 hours two Pottawattamie County, Iowa Deputies, 43-year old Mark Burbridge  and 59-year old Pat Morgan transported two prisoners from the Pottawattamie County Courthouse and arrived at the Pottawattamie County Jail. As deputies Burbridge and Morgan began the transfer into the jail, one of the prisoners, 23-year old Wesley Williams Correa Carmenaty assaulted both deputies. Correa Carmenaty obtained one of the deputies’ firearms and shot both deputies. Correa Carmenaty fled the scene in the Pottawattamie County Jail transport van – driving through closed garage door attached to the jail.

Deputy Burbridge succumbed to his injuries. He was a 12-year veteran of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Morgan is a 10-year veteran of the Pott. County Sheriff’s Department. He was listed in stable condition at an Omaha hospital, and is being treated for gunshot wounds to his lower torso.

A third person, 30-year old Jerry Brittain, a resident of Council Bluffs, was being treated at an Omaha hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot would to his neck. And, 33-year old Amy Kanger, a resident of Glenwood, who was the victim of a car-jacking during the escape, did not suffer any physical injuries.

Authorities says as the escape unfolded, at the intersection of 16th and Big Lake Rd, Correa Carmenaty stopped the van and attempted to car jack an S-10 pickup truck. Correa Carmenaty confronted the driver, Jerry Brittain, ultimately shooting him once before fleeing the scene again in the transport van. The passenger in the S-10 was not injured.

Council Bluffs officers found the transport van abandoned at the intersection of 2500 Avenue I a few minutes later. Amy Kanger, who was driving a black 2015 Nissan Sentra in the area of 2500 Avenue I,  saw the transport van up on the grass, Kanger stopped to see if anyone was injured. Correa kidnapped Ms. Kanger at gunpoint, forcing her back into her Nissan. At approximately 11:15 a.m. Correa released Ms. Kanger at the R & L Liquor store 5825 N 30th St., where Ms. Kanger notified Omaha authorities of the carjacking.

The suspect and stolen vehicle were located by a Omaha Police Officer traveling eastbound on Ames Ave at 31st Ave.  The vehicle turned south on 30th from Ames Ave and a Gang Unit officer advised they were behind the vehicle in an unmarked vehicle.  During the subsequent pursuit, an Omaha officers got behind the vehicle at 30th & Sprague Street.  The suspect drove south on 30th St., west on Cuming St., did a U turn at Saddle Creek and Cuming St., traveled back east on Cuming St.  Stop sticks were deployed at 40th & Cuming St., 36th & Cuming St. and 30th & Cuming St.  The vehicle did not run over any of the stop sticks.  The suspect attempted to enter I480 South when it collided with the brick wall at Cuming St. & I480 entrance ramp.  The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

A medic was called to the scene but the suspect declined treatment.  The suspect was transported to Central Station.  Numerous agencies, NSP, DCSO, K-9, Traffic Unit, Gang Unit, U.S. Marshals, Co Bluffs and Pott Co representatives were on scene.  Correa Carmenaty was booked into the Douglas County Jail for kidnapping, use of a weapon to commit a felony, felon in possession of a firearm, felony operating a vehicle to avoid arrest, and fugitive from justice – pending charges from Iowa authorities.

Deputy Mark Burbridge

Deputy Pat Morgan