At 7:38 a.m. on Feb. 4, 2026, an 18-year-old male, residing in the 4100 block of Deer Valley Drive, asked his neighbor to call the Police Department because he wanted to speak to an officer. By 7:55 a.m., two Marion Police officers had arrived on scene and attempted to converse with the male and his neighbor.

After more than 3 minutes of dialogue, the male did not disclose why he wanted to talk to an officer but then produced a concealed machete and began advancing on the officers. After verbal commands for him to drop the weapon, a taser was deployed, but it was not effective. The man continued towards the other officer, who repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon while backing away. The multiple commands went unheeded, the subject continued toward the officer with the weapon, and the officer fired once at the man, which stopped the advancement.

The subject, who is not being identified at this time, continued to resist as the officers placed him into custody, but quickly became unresponsive. At that point, officers initiated CPR, and paramedics were summoned to the scene. The man was transported to a local hospital but later died.

Per department policy, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was contacted to investigate the shooting. Additionally, the Linn County Attorney's Office and the Iowa Attorney General's Office will conduct a review of this incident, which is standard practice. The officers involved have been placed on critical incident leave.

The City of Marion and the Marion Police Department mourn the loss of life and all impacted by this situation.

The Marion Police Department was assisted on the scene by the Marion Fire Department, Area Ambulance Agency and the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

Further information may be provided as it becomes available.