Polk County Attorney Clears Des Moines Officer in March Assault Shooting

A Des Moines police officer, Senior Officer Chad Ruroden, was found justified in shooting 19-year-old Jose Daniel Rodriguez-Sanchez during an arrest on March 20 after Rodriguez-Sanchez violently assaulted him and attempted to disarm him. The Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham reviewed the evidence, including body-worn camera footage, and determined that Ruroden reasonably believed he was in imminent danger of great bodily injury or death, making the use of force necessary to prevent harm. Rodriguez-Sanchez was shot in the upper torso but continued to attack until other officers subdued him with pepper spray and a Taser. Rodriguez-Sanchez faces multiple charges, including assault on a peace officer with intent to inflict serious injury, disarming a peace officer, domestic abuse assault, and interference with official acts. Officer Ruroden suffered head and neck injuries but was treated and released from the hospital. Due to the ongoing criminal case, detailed information and video footage have not been released publicly.