(Des Moines) The Iowa Attorney General’s Office has concluded that the July 26 fatal shooting of Keegan Dean Kennedy by Jefferson Police Officer Shaydon Thurman was legally justified.
The conclusion followed an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Authorities say Thurman attempted to stop Kennedy’s vehicle around 1:25 a.m. for alleged traffic violations, but Kennedy fled, leading officers on a pursuit through Jefferson and into Greene County.
As the vehicle slowed on 245th Street, Kennedy jumped from the stolen car and ran toward Thurman while holding a sharp object above his head. Investigators say Kennedy continued advancing after Thurman fired and stabbed the officer in the face before Thurman fired additional rounds, ending the threat.
Kennedy died at the scene. Thurman was treated at a hospital for a facial stab wound.
The vehicle Kennedy was driving had been reported stolen, and investigators recovered a fixed-blade knife at the scene. Kennedy’s family told investigators he had reportedly said about a week earlier that he would commit “suicide by cop” if approached by law enforcement.
A passenger fled from the vehicle and was later believed to be a juvenile located in Carroll County, though the juvenile denied involvement.
