A Boone police officer was legally justified when he shot and killed an 18-year-old to prevent him from stabbing another officer, according to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.
Camryn Stonehocker was shot by Boone police officer Marshall Moore in September following a vehicle pursuit that spanned multiple counties.
Moore initially attempted to pull over Stonehocker, a Boone High School student, for an inoperable tail light after 10:30 p.m. Sept. 6 on Highway 30, but Stonehocker didn’t stop and was pursued by police until he stopped in Greene County, according to a news release.
Stonehocker reportedly exited his vehicle, advanced on Moore with a knife and was shot by Moore after turning the knife on another officer.
The case was forwarded to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office for review.
According to a report released on Monday, Oct. 13, Stonehocker continued to escalate “what could have been a standard traffic stop when he failed to stop and led officers on a twenty-mile pursuit for 17 minutes.”
“By driving across multiple lanes – at times into oncoming traffic and toward innocent motorists – with his headlights off, Stonehocker put dozens of people in danger,” the report said. “He slammed on his brakes twice, in an apparent attempt to cause the officers to collide with him.”
Pursuit started on Highway 30 in Boone County
At about 10:49 p.m. on Sept. 6, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Boone Police Department and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office with a pursuit that started on Highway 30 in Boone County, according to a press release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
After Moore’s attempt to pull Stonehocker over, the 18-year-old drove into Boone before returning to Highway 30 and heading west. According to the report from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Stonehocker led Moore and other officers westbound for about 20 miles.
Stonehocker reportedly exited vehicle and advanced on officers
The vehicle came to a stop on T Avenue just north of Highway 30 and a few miles west of Grand Junction. When Stonehocker exited the vehicle, he “began walking with a large survival knife pointed at Officer Moore, ignoring commands to drop the weapon,” the report said.
At the same time, Boone police officer Josh Olsen approached Stonehocker from behind. According to the report, Stonehocker turned, aimed his knife at Olsen and advanced toward him.
“Officer Olsen lunged out of Stonehocker’s reach and went to the ground,” the report said. “Officer Moore saw Stonehocker turn the knife toward Olsen and, fearing for both Olsen’s safety and his own, fired his weapon to prevent Stonehocker from stabbing Officer Olsen until Stonehocker fell to the ground and stopped moving.”
Moore reportedly provided cover while the knife was removed from Stonehocker’s hand and Olsen began to render medical aid.
Stonehocker died from his injuries on the way to the hospital.
Report said Boone man had traffic citations two weeks prior
Interviews with friends and family revealed that Stonehocker had prior encounters with law enforcement that had frustrated him. According to the report, he had received traffic citations two weeks prior to the incident.
He also had been “exhibiting more argumentative behavior over the last two years, coinciding with his use of marijuana,” the report said.
18-year-old was confirmed to be high school student
An email from the Boone Community School District sent to parents Monday, Sept. 8 confirmed Stonehocker was a high school student. The email said counselors were available at the school to provide support.
“Grief is a deeply personal process, and we want to ensure we are supporting our students and families in every way we can during this difficult time,” the email said. “To that end, we have attached some resources that you may find helpful as you navigate conversations with your children who may be struggling or have questions about this news.”
Stonehocker loved fishing, camping and being in the outdoors, according to his obituary. Some of his other hobbies included bike riding, listening to music and playing video games.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Boone police officer justified in fatally shooting 18-year-old, Iowa AG says
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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