(Stuart, Iowa) The Stuart man accused of shooting and killing a woman and injuring an Iowa State Patrol trooper is waiving his right to a preliminary hearing.
The suspect, Austin Reed, is facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder of a peace officer. Reed is accused of shooting and killing Toni Elena-Ann Salazar at a Stuart home on August 18. He’s also charged with shooting and injuring Iowa State Trooper Chase Carruthers, who was the first to respond to the scene.
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.
Reed’s preliminary hearing had been scheduled for today. He’s being held without bond at the Adair County Jail.
