In accordance with departmental practice, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) announced they will be conducting a parallel investigation into the actions of police personnel in an officer-involved shooting that occurred late last week in Council Bluffs. At approximately 3 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1, a five-year veteran of the force, Officer Trevor Benson, responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle. During the course of a brief conversation, the driver of the car refused to identify himself and would not exit the car. That driver, 21-year-old Daton Petrey of Omaha, Neb., then put the car in reverse as Benson was trying to physically remove him. Benson became trapped between the open driver’s door and body of the car and was dragged for approximately 40 feet. He managed to remain on his feet and fired two shots, striking Petrey in the lower abdomen. Petrey continued to flee from authorities, speeding out of the parking lot and into the alley behind the adjacent business. While attempting to turn from the alley onto the street, Petrey struck a power pole guide wire, causing the Oldsmobile Cutlass to flip onto its roof. He crawled out and attempted to elude officers on foot, but was captured about a block away hiding under a parked vehicle. Officer Benson was not injured in the incident and Petrey is listed in stable condition at a hospital in Omaha. He will be booked into the Douglas County jail upon his release. At the time of this incident, Petrey was wanted on a felony warrant for parole violation. The warrant recommended using caution when approaching Petrey as he is known to carry weapons, resist arrest and is considered an escape risk. Council Bluffs Detectives continue to investigate Petrey’s actions and the department’s Internal Affairs Unit will be conducting an administrative review to determine if policies and procedures were followed.
