An Iowa father was just trying to teach his son a lesson, and now he’s planning his funeral after police shot the unarmed teen dead Monday morning on Iowa State University’s campus.
James Comstock refused to buy a pack of cigarettes for his 19-year-old son, Tyler, who got angry and took off in his dad’s company truck, the Des Moines Register first reported.
“He took off with my truck. I call the police, and they kill him,” Mr. Comstock told the newspaper on Tuesday. “It was over a damn pack of cigarettes. I wouldn’t buy him none. And I lose my son for that.”
Ames Police Officer Adam McPherson “pursued [Tyler] Comstock into the heart of ISU’s campus. During the chase, Comstock rammed McPherson’s car. The truck eventually stopped, but Comstock revved the engine and refused orders to turn it off,” the Register reported.
Mr. McPherson fired off six rounds into the truck, striking the teen twice, according to the Iowa state medical examiner’s office.
According to dispatch audio obtained by the Register, an unidentified Ames police staffer twice suggested that police back off their pursuit of Tyler.
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“I just heard the audio of the dispatch. They told (police) to back off,” said Shari Comstock, Tyler’s mother. “Why? Why did they kill him?”
“So he didn’t shut the damn truck off, so let’s fire six rounds at him? We’re confused, and we don’t understand,” said Tyler Comstock’s step-grandfather, Gary Shepley.
Tyler Comstock’s cousin, Blake Jensen, said that until they get more information, the tight-knit family is banding together to grieve for Tyler.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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