Agents and crime scene personnel with the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) are investigating an early (Sunday) morning shooting in the Decatur County City of Leon. At around at 3:08 a.m., an officer with the Leon Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of NW 3rd Street.

During the traffic stop, the driver of the vehicle, a male in is 50’s, sprayed the Leon officer with a chemical agent. In response, the officer fired his weapon, striking the driver. The driver was provided medical attention at the scene. He was then airlifted to Des Moines hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

The Leon officer is on paid administrative leave. The name of the involved officer nor the name of the driver are being released at this time. Authorities say additional information will be released as appropriate.