The Cedar Rapids Police Department stood by the actions of their officers in a detailed explanation released late Tuesday regarding a fatal officer-involved shooting that took place in April.

David Vanderhamm, 39, from Cedar Rapids, lost his life following a confrontation with law enforcement on April 6.

The incident unfolded when Vanderhamm’s mother urgently sought police assistance at the 200 block of 31st Street NE, expressing concerns about her son’s well-being, revealing his access to a firearm, and describing his erratic behavior.

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Despite efforts to provide Vanderhamm with necessary help by transporting him to the hospital, he refused treatment and left with his stepfather.

However, matters escalated later in the day when Vanderhamm called the police, expressing hostile intentions towards law enforcement officers.

Police Chief David Dostal recounted that officers attempted to diffuse the situation through verbal instructions and had prepared tactical strategies, including the deployment of less-lethal means.

Nonetheless, Vanderhamm’s defiance led to lethal force being the final recourse.

In the body camera footage, officers made efforts to subdue Vanderhamm, with discussion of employing a taser for control.

While specific details on the employment of the taser remain undisclosed per the CRPD statement, the video footage asserts that the step-father’s attempts to intervene left him caught in the crossfire, sustaining severe injuries.

The aftermath revealed the step-father’s revelation that Vanderhamm had harbored intentions of instigating a fatal conflict with the police, a situation known as “suicide by cop.”

Following the incident, it was determined that the weapon held by Vanderhamm—an air rifle bearing a resemblance to an actual firearm—was misconstrued in the heat of the moment, leading to the lethal actions by law enforcement.

The Iowa Attorney General’s office concurred with this assessment approximately two weeks ago, deeming the shooting justified.