David Leroy Kintz Jr. dies in fatal Des Moines police shooting
Fatal Des Moines police shooting death of David Leroy Kintz Jr. – Obituary
Authorities have identified the man who was fatally shot by Des Moines police officers on February 6 during a narcotics investigation.
According to officials, the shooting occurred around 8:40 p.m. in the 1200 block of Maury Street, where Des Moines Police Department Narcotics Section investigators were conducting surveillance on a vehicle linked to an ongoing methamphetamine trafficking case.
The suspect, 43-year-old David Leroy Kintz Jr., exited the vehicle and began walking westbound on Maury Street when two uniformed officers approached and detained him. During their interaction, Kintz allegedly pulled out a weapon, prompting a confrontation that led both officers to fire their handguns.
Emergency responders provided medical aid at the scene before transporting Kintz to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after 10:20 a.m. on February 7.
The officers involved in the shooting were identified as Senior Police Officers Neal Shaffer, who has been with the department since 2018, and Titus Deford, who joined in 2020.
As standard procedure, both officers have been placed on administrative assignment while the investigation continues. The Des Moines Police Department has stated that peer support and mental health resources are available to employees impacted by the incident.
