(Stuart) The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has charged a 46-year-old man with murder and attempted murder of a police officer following a shooting Tuesday in Stuart that left a woman dead and an Iowa State Patrol trooper hospitalized.
On August 18, 2026, at 3:35 p.m., law enforcement officers were dispatched to a report of shots fired in the 200 block of SW 6th Street in Stuart, Iowa. Responding officers included those from the Stuart Police Department, the Adair and Guthrie County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Iowa State Patrol. Upon their arrival, they located a deceased adult female outside the address.
Iowa State Trooper Chase Carruthers was among the first to arrive. Shortly after doing so, Trooper Carruthers encountered an adult male, identified as 46-year-old Austin Nichols Reed, armed with a shotgun. During the encounter, Trooper Carruthers was shot by Reed. Other officers were able to take Reed into custody without further incident. 
Officers on scene rendered emergency aid to Trooper Carruthers, who was transported to a Des Moines area hospital. Trooper Carruthers is in stable condition but continues to be hospitalized and is receiving ongoing medical treatment.
The deceased adult female was later identified as 42-year-old Toni Elena-Ann Salazar. Her death is being treated as a homicide.
Austin Nichols Reed has been charged with Murder in the 1st degree, a Class A Felony and Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, a Class B Felony.
Trooper Chase Carruthers has been with the Department of Public Safety since December of 2025.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Major Crime Unit will be assisting the Stuart Police Department with the investigation.
Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
