MEDIA RELEASE
RE: Criminal Mischief / Reckless Discharge of a Firearm
On April 10, 2018, at approximately 2:51 a.m. Grinnell officers located an unoccupied Chevy pickup, with its lights on, in the travel portion of the 600 Block of 5th Avenue. Shortly afterwards officers experienced gun shots in the area. The defendant was located hiding in the area of 5th Avenue and Spring Street, armed with a shotgun. Officers confronted the defendant, who ignored verbal commands to drop his weapon. After a brief period, with the defendant walking through yards in the area, the defendant dropped his weapon and was taken into custody by Grinnell officers and Poweshiek county deputies in the 1000 Block of Spring Street. The defendant was processed at the Grinnell Public Safety Building before being transported to the Poweshiek County jail. No injuries were sustained during the incident.
The Grinnell Police Department investigation revealed that the defendant discharged the shotgun into an unoccupied parked vehicle near the intersection of Spring Street and 5th Avenue. The area of 5th Avenue and Spring Street was closed to traffic until approximately 7:00 a.m. while the scene was processed.
The defendant, Duane Graham - Age 58 of rural Grinnell, is charged with the following:
- Going Armed with Intent - ClassD' Felony'
- Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree - ClassD' Felony'
- Reckless Use of a Firearm - Property Damage - Aggravated Misdemeanor
A Criminal charge is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Dennis Reilly
Chief of Police