Authorities identify suspect shot and killed by law enforcement in I-80 incident
The suspect who was shot and killed Tuesday during a traffic investigation on Interstate 80 west of Des Moines has been identified.
The Dallas County Sheriff's Office says Vonderrick Rayford, 51, of Milwaukee, died Tuesday after being shot by deputies and law enforcement officers from other agencies.
Rayford was initially pulled over for excessive speeding, according to the Dallas County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities said Rayford fired shots at law enforcement "without provocation" during the investigation. Officers and deputies at the scene returned gunfire and hit Rayford, who died at the scene.
"The deputy was doing a normal speed enforcement. The driver of the vehicle exited the vehicle. Completely unprovoked for no reason. And started shooting at our deputy. That's how the whole thing started," said Adam Infante, the Dallas County sheriff.
The vehicle he was driving was reportedly stolen out of Colorado, according to investigators. The gun Rayford fired was also stolen, authorities say.
Infante praised the officers' training and instincts, emphasizing that while preparation can help, not every unpredictable scenario can be rehearsed in advance.
The team relied on their quick judgment and composure to handle the dangerous situation without unnecessarily increasing risk — an approach that likely prevented a potentially worse outcome.
The sheriff expressed gratitude that the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning in a rural area, minimizing danger to the general public.
Law enforcement officers who fired at Rayford have been placed on administrative leave pending the ongoing investigation from the Division of Criminal Investigation.
According to Infante, the Dallas County Sheriff's Office has not had an officer-involved shooting in more than 20 years.
Watch: Suspect killed in gunfire exchange with law enforcement along Interstate 80
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