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Des Moines police have released the identity of the officer who shot and killed a man who allegedly charged at officers with a knife during a welfare check last week.According to the Des Moines Police Department, Senior Police Officer Noah DeVenney has been placed on administrative assignment, following standard protocol. DeVenney has been with the department since 2024.Officers were called just before 8 p.m. March 24 to the Flats on 5th apartment complex in the 7100 block of Southeast Fifth Street after a father requested a welfare check on his adult daughter. The father told officers he had been unable to reach her and was concerned about possible issues involving her boyfriend.According to police, officers knocked on the apartment door for several minutes but received no response. An apartment management then unlocked the door to allow officers inside.When the door was opened, police say 33-year-old Zakar Jeffrey, armed with a knife, attempted to attack the father before turning toward officers. Authorities said Jeffrey then charged at one of the officers, prompting DeVenney to fire his handgun, striking him.Officers and Des Moines Fire Department medics attempted lifesaving measures, but Jeffrey was pronounced dead at the scene.During a subsequent search of the apartment, another officer located a woman, identified as 33-year-old Martasha Jordane Paris McKenzie, dead in a bedroom.The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation has been requested to review the officer’s use of force. Detectives with the Des Moines Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons Section are investigating McKenzie’s death as a homicide.Police said body-worn cameras were recording throughout the incident.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Des Moines police have released the identity of the officer who shot and killed a man who allegedly charged at officers with a knife during a welfare check last week.
According to the Des Moines Police Department, Senior Police Officer Noah DeVenney has been placed on administrative assignment, following standard protocol. DeVenney has been with the department since 2024.
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Officers were called just before 8 p.m. March 24 to the Flats on 5th apartment complex in the 7100 block of Southeast Fifth Street after a father requested a welfare check on his adult daughter. The father told officers he had been unable to reach her and was concerned about possible issues involving her boyfriend.
According to police, officers knocked on the apartment door for several minutes but received no response. An apartment management then unlocked the door to allow officers inside.
When the door was opened, police say 33-year-old Zakar Jeffrey, armed with a knife, attempted to attack the father before turning toward officers. Authorities said Jeffrey then charged at one of the officers, prompting DeVenney to fire his handgun, striking him.
Officers and Des Moines Fire Department medics attempted lifesaving measures, but Jeffrey was pronounced dead at the scene.
During a subsequent search of the apartment, another officer located a woman, identified as 33-year-old Martasha Jordane Paris McKenzie, dead in a bedroom.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation has been requested to review the officer’s use of force. Detectives with the Des Moines Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons Section are investigating McKenzie’s death as a homicide.
Police said body-worn cameras were recording throughout the incident.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
