WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) – A man has died after an officer-involved shooting in Waterloo on Sunday. Officials said it happened at 4:30 p.m. near the intersection of Dubuque Road and Adrian Street. Police said they were initially called to the Flavor Shop, located at 2301 Lafayette Street, for a report of a man waving a gun. Police found the man, later identified as Michael Ahrens, 32, walking west on Dubuque Road. Officers said they ordered him to drop the gun several times, but Ahrens refused. They said they fired “less-than lethal rounds” at Ahrens, but he still refused to drop the gun. Police then reportedly fired and struck Ahrens twice after he pointed the gun at officers twice. Ahrens was taken to the hospital, where he later died. The pistol Ahrens was holding was later identified as an airsoft pistol. The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the incident.
PALO, Iowa (KCRG) – 34-year-old Samantha Bevans has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of murder after her stepmother was found dead last month. Investigators said Jodie Bevans, 58, was found unresponsive at a home in Palo. An autopsy was conducted on Bevans’ body on July 17th. Officials say it ruled the manner of Bevan’s death a homicide. In a criminal complaint, officials said Samantha Bevans had made threats to harm Jodie, who was her stepmother. Investigators said they also found a note, written by Samantha, that listed for Thursday to, “Kill Jodie.” Officials reported that a search warrant return on Snap Chat also revealed Samantha had created a video in which she admitted to planning the killing. Witnesses also told law enforcement they had overheard Samantha describing the killing, with Jodie having been choked and suffocated with a pillow. The criminal complaint also said Samantha admitted to police that she killed Jodie with an accomplice. Officials say 38-year-old Tacoa Talley was that accomplice. If convicted, the two will face life sentences without the possibility of parole.
JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – Weather permitting, drivers on I-380 southbound will be utilizing a new elevated bridge as they head to I-80 eastbound. The opening of this ramp is a major accomplishment for the project as it is the last of the old “loop-style” ramps to be closed within the interchange. It is the second major flyover ramp to open at the interchange. With the opening of the new ramp, drivers should be prepared for the following changes to the interchange: the flyover ramp is longer than the previous loop-style ramp, so the exit point has shifted. Drivers needing to take Exit 0A to I-80 eastbound should look for the exit point approximately ½ mile earlier than previously expected; and this exit point shift means that the exit for I-80 eastbound (toward Iowa City) will now occur before the exit for I-80 westbound (toward Des Moines).
DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – A Davenport man was arrested Sunday after police say he held a man against his will at gunpoint and pistol-whipping him, while he demanded the return of a stolen gun. Pachino Hill, 25, is charged with second degree kidnapping – armed with a dangerous weapon, a Class B felony, punishable by 25 years in prison. According to an arrest affidavit, Hill was in the area of 1000 block of Arlington Avenue and made a man leave at gunpoint, after pistol-whipping him. Hill then ordered the man into his car. He was seen on video from several areas using the handgun to point it at the man being held in an aggressive manner. Hill was armed with a dangerous weapon and held the man against his will while demanding the return of a missing firearm or the cash value of the missing firearm, according to the affidavit. According to court records, Hill posted a $25,000 bond through a bond company.
