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Mental evaluation ordered for woman in Iowa City shooting

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September 14th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge has ordered a mental competency evaluation for a woman accused of injuring an Iowa City police officer with BB gun fire. The woman herself was injured when the officer returned fire with his service weapon.

Officer Michael Clark and 25-year-old Cierra Lewis were both hospitalized after the July 29 shootout in south Iowa City as officers investigated a shoplifting report. Lewis’ attorney, Quint Meyerdirk, tells the Press-Citizen that he doesn’t believe she is mentally fit enough to participate in her own defense. She’s charged with assault and willful injury.

Lewis will be evaluated by a psychologist at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville. Clark’s involvement is being reviewed by the Johnson County Attorney’s Office.