Iowa AG Says Cedar Rapids Officers Acted With Legal Justification in Fatal Shooting

Officers Ethan Lightner and Wes Wery acted with legal justification when they fatally shot Travis Kirk McDermott in Cedar Rapids, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office reported.

The shooting took place at approximately 3:05 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Cedar Rapids Police Department officers were dispatched to a call regarding a man brandishing a gun near Daniels Park, according to an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Officers Lightner, Wery, Kenneth Allaire, and Janae Obbink arrived within seconds at a business across from the park. They observed McDermott standing next to the building with an extended barrel handgun raised in his right hand over his head while arguing with a woman on a second-story balcony.

Iowa attorney general says Cedar Rapids officers justified in fatal shooting — KCCI

Officers repeatedly directed McDermott to get on the ground. Instead, McDermott screamed vulgarities at the officers and stated he was going to shoot them while continuing his argument with the woman.

As he faced them, officers ordered him more forcefully to drop the gun.

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McDermott began lowering the weapon from over his head toward his waist and pointed it at the officers. Officers Lightner and Wery then fired their weapons, and McDermott fell to the ground, according to the report.

Despite lifesaving measures administered at the scene, McDermott succumbed to his injuries. Investigators recovered a Gamo PR-776 high-power CO2 revolver with a 6-inch barrel from the scene. Both civilian and law enforcement witnesses believed the weapon was a lethal firearm.

A review of McDermott’s criminal history revealed numerous alcohol and drug offenses, along with harassment and assault convictions, including an assault on a dog contained in a person’s backyard. During an intoxication arrest in February 2026, McDermott directed threats at the arresting officer, warning that he would murder him, “blow his head off,” and track him down after his shift.

Pursuant to Iowa Code section 13.2, the Attorney General utilized independent authority to release the findings regarding law enforcement actions that led to a fatality.