Franklin County deputies cleared in June shooting of Sheffield man
SHEFFIELD — The Iowa Attorney General’s Office has concluded that the shooting death of a Sheffield man by two Franklin County deputies earlier this summer was legally justified and no criminal charges will be filed.
Deputies responded to a domestic dispute call at 1124 West Gilman Street on the night of June 20th. On arrival, deputies encountered 30-year-old Matthew Davis, who appeared to be brandishing a handgun while standing in the home’s driveway.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s investigation found that Davis’ former partner called authorities, saying he was intoxicated, suicidal, and armed with a gun at her home, and that Davis said he wanted to be shot by police.
The Attorney General’s Office says their investigation found that Davis was ordered by the deputies to drop the weapon and they pleaded with him to do so at least 17 times. Bodycam footage showed Davis then approached the deputies and aimed the gun at them, at which point one of the deputies opened fire, striking Davis once in the abdominal area.
After securing his weapon, which was later determined to be a pellet gun, deputies rendered medical aid and called for an ambulance, with Davis stating to the deputies “Thank you for shooting me.” Davis died while enroute to the hospital.
The Attorney General’s report says Davis provided the deputies with no choice but to use deadly force in defense of themselves and others.
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