Gunman flees police, crashes car into Burger King
A gunman is still on the loose after shooting another man early Sunday and crashing a car into a fast-food restaurant, Des Moines police said.
The victim was shot in the arm just after 3 a.m. near Ninth and Mulberry streets. Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening.
Police spotted the assailant leaving a nearby parking ramp but the individual fled. Officers chased the car for 3 miles, sometimes reaching speeds of up to 90 mph, before it crashed into a Burger King on East 14th Street and Court Avenue. Police said the driver ran from the car and into a wooded area.
A K-9 unit was sent to search for him but was unable to find him.
Police said two women who also were in the car. They were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of their injuries.
“It’s getting crazy around,” Des Moines resident Dianna Rankin said. “You just never know what’s going to happen next. I don’t know what this world’s coming to anymore. It’s scary for everybody.”
Neighbors who live across the street watched from their balcony after the gunshots rang out.
“I don’t know how far he got, I mean, they’re not very thick woods,” Des Moines resident Gary Hackett said.
“You don’t know what they’re going to do, where they’re going to go or anything,” Rankin said.
Neighbors are on edge and hope police catch the gunman soon.
“I hope they catch him and charge him for everything he can be charged with,” Hackett said.
The Burger King had little damage and is still open.