Iowa cop is shot, prompting lockdown and major manhunt for ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect – before 43-year-old is captured and arrested
- 43-year-old Algona resident Kyle Lou Ricke was later identified as the suspect and arrested
- Police have issued a blue alert, indicating an incident involving an officer
An officer was shot in Iowa yesterday, sparking a manhunt that led to the suspect’s arrest, officials said.
The Algona police officer was shot Wednesday around 8 p.m. on the 1100 block of Minnesota Street, Iowa State Patrol said in a statement.
Local resident Kyle Lou Ricke, 43, was later identified as the suspect.
Ricke initially avoided arrest, which led to the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office issuing a lockdown order for Algona residents.
The man was arrested just before midnight.
The Algona police officer was shot Wednesday around 8 p.m. on the 1100 block of Minnesota Street, Iowa State Patrol said in a statement. Local resident Kyle Lou Ricke, 43, was later identified as the suspect
Meanwhile, the condition of the officer – named by news channel Channel3 Now as Kevin Kram – is unknown.
State police have rescinded the blue alert, which was issued to alert law enforcement when a suspect is on the loose and poses a threat to other police officers. The blue alert signals “the death or serious injury of a peace officer while on duty.”
The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office also issued an “all release” last night.
According to local reports, Ricke had been dealing with legal troubles in the weeks leading up to the shooting.
Legal records show he was in court hours before the shooting and was charged with third-degree harassment on Aug. 28.
KCCI Des Moines reported that Ricke’s ex-girlfriend told police he sent her dozens of text messages and tried to call her several times within a two-hour span, with text messages seen by officers showing him berating her and ‘made fun of her’.
An officer said he advised the man not to contact the woman or he would be charged with harassment.
The condition of the officer – named Kevin Kram (photo) by local media – is unknown
Despite this, the woman contacted police four days later (August 27) and said Ricke had continued to send her text messages and emails.
The next day, he admitted to contacting the woman and was arrested and charged.
On August 29, Ricke left the Kossuth County Jail before appearing in court Wednesday morning, hours before the officer-involved shooting.
His trial date was set for November 3.