ARMED AND DANGEROUS: Police seek suspect in Muscatine incident; officer shot

EARLY SATURDAY UPDATE: At 12:30 a.m. Saturday, officers still searched for a suspect considered to be armed and dangerous in connection with the shooting injury of a Muscatine County deputy, according to a news release from the Muscatine Police Department.

Shortly before 5:15 p.m. Friday, a Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office deputy tried to stop a vehicle that was being driven recklessly in the area of Benham Avenue and Nebraska Street, the release says. The vehicle failed to stop and continued traveling erratically at high rates of speed through
residential neighborhoods, eluding the deputy.

The suspect vehicle subsequently crashed, and the driver, who was identified as 59-year-old Mark Lee Jackson of Des Moines, ran off.

Shortly before 5:30 p.m. Friday, law enforcement spotted Jackson running in the 1200 block of Grandview Avenue. During the subsequent foot pursuit, Jackson fired at pursuing officers and struck a Muscatine police officer. The officer was transported from the scene by the Muscatine Fire Department and was in stable condition early Saturday.

“This remains an active situation, and Jackson is still at large,” said the release, which was issued at 12:31 a.m. Saturday. “Jackson has active warrants through Iowa State Corrections for a parole violation and through the Muscatine Police Department for Theft 2nd. He should be considered armed and dangerous.”

Jackson is described as being about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds, with blue eyes and thinning gray hair.

The Muscatine Police Department and Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office are being assisted by the Muscatine Fire Department, Iowa State Patrol, Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, West Liberty Police Department, Wilton Police Department, Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations and Muscatine County Emergency Management.

Officers ask that anyone with information about Jackson’s whereabouts or this incident contact the Muscatine Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at 563-263-9922. Callers may remain anonymous.

EARLIER UPDATE: In a Facebook post, Quad Cities officers send their best wishes to a Muscatine police officer who was injured Friday in the line of duty.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Muscatine, IA Police Department tonight as one of their officers has been shot after a vehicle pursuit,” the post says. “Reports state the officer is in stable condition.”

The suspect, identified by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office as Mark Lee Jackson, “is still at large in the south end of Muscatine and residents are being asked to shelter in place,” the post says.

EARLIER: Officers are on the scene of a gun-related incident in Muscatine, according to a Facebook post from Muscatine County Emergency Management/911.

“There is an active incident involving a firearm happening in the south end near the Rosebowl,” the post says. “Please avoid the area and let responders do their job. We will notify when the threat is no longer active … again, please avoid the area.”

Fire and ambulance crews are on the scene, along with Muscatine police, Muscatine County sheriff’s deputies, Iowa State Patrol and heavy-duty armored tactical vehicles. About 8:30 p.m., Our Quad Cities News crew heard officers deploy tear gas in what appears to be a wooded area behind the bars and the bowling alley.

A man who answered the phone at the Rose Bowl, 1411 Grandview Ave., told Our Quad Cities News that a dispatcher called the bowling alley and asked staff to lock the doors and for customers to stay inside.

Meanwhile, Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark posted a prayer on his Facebook page: “We lift up our Muscatine officer during this difficult time. Surround them with Your protection, strength, and peace. Guide the hands that care for them, comfort their family, and bring healing and safety.”

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to Local 4, Fox 18 and OurQuadCities.com for updates. Got a news tip? Forward it to Our Quad Cities News on Twitter or Facebook or download our mobile app on your iPhone or Android phone.The new OurQC+ CTV streaming app offers live-streaming newscasts and hours of video on demand.

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