GREENFIELD –The use of deadly force by Guthrie County Deputies Kent Gries, James Mink and Steven Henry and Stuart Police Officer Tyler DeFrancisco in a confrontation with Randall Comly Oct. 17 was ruled justified under Iowa Code section 704 by the Adair County Attorney Melissa S. Larson.
“Comly’s act of charging at the officers and shooting in their direction at close range was a clear, immediate and deadly threat to their lives and safety,” Larson stated in her report.
Larson also noted that the officers and deputies could not have safely retreated from the situation or used Taser guns to subdue Comly and that the officers called out to Comly to give him an opportunity to surrender peacefully.
Deputy Gries fired approximately 16 rounds, Officer DeFrancisco fired 16 rounds and Deputy Henry fired six rounds at Comly. Comly, who was using a .22 caliber revolver, fired six rounds at the officers.
Three of the law enforcement officers and Comly were injured in the incident. Deputies Henry and Mink were struck by bullets that exited the building during the exchange of gunfire. Deputy Gries received powder burns to his eye and face when Comly fired.
Comly received a non-life-threatening gun shot wound.