Marshal Justified in Fatal Encounter | Des Moines News

In a tense standoff that ended in tragedy, a U.S. Marshal fired twice after Michael Zurek charged out of an apartment wielding a six-inch combat knife — and the Iowa Attorney General’s office has now ruled the deadly force was justified. Zurek, a registered sex offender who’d escaped custody and gone on the run, had a history of violent confrontations, including a May incident where he brandished a kitchen knife and declared he wanted to die. When officers entered his Ottumwa apartment, Zurek lunged forward with the blade raised — despite warnings to drop it — forcing the Marshal to act. The report concludes his aggressive, weapon-wielding advance created an immediate threat, making the use of force necessary to protect officers. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/17c81101a5e0ac0a