Linn County Attorney Office clears reserve officer in shooting incident

Hunter
01/21/22

The Linn County Attorney’s Office has cleared a Cedar Rapids reserve officer of criminal charges after a  shooting incident last month.

Officer Scott Fruehling attempted to conduct a traffic stop on 32nd St NE the evening of December 17th. The vehicle refused to stop, and a short chase ensued. The suspect’s vehicle traveled to a dead-end, and when Fruehling exited his squad car to confront the driver, the suspect turned and accelerated toward Fruehling. The suspect’s vehicle struck the officer, and in response, Fruehling  discharged his weapon at the car. He sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital.

Investigators with the CRPD determined that the driver was 26-year-old Eddie Ayers III using video and other physical evidence. He was arrested January 14th and charged with Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations with the use or display of a weapon, Assault on persons in Certain Occupations causing Bodily Injury, Interference with Official Acts with a dangerous weapon, Eluding, and four other moving violations.  Ayers ran from police as they attempted to arrest him, resulting in an additional charge of Interference with Official Acts.

KWWL TV reports that Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks reviewed all narratives, reports, and physical evidence and concluded that criminal charges against Officer Fruehling are not warranted.