Officer Shot, Woman Killed in Iowa Standoff

DES MOINES, Iowa --

A woman was found dead inside an apartment after a man with a shotgun held Des Moines police at bay for more than an hour on Wednesday afternoon.

The standoff started at 4:23 p.m. at the Ashley Square apartment complex at 5517 Aurora Ave.

Sgt. Lori Lavorato said police received a report of a woman possibly being abducted after an argument at a Target store along Merle Hay Road. Officers followed leads to the apartment complex at 5517 Aurora Ave.

Des Moines police Officer Todd Roland was shot in the hand by the man while in the parking lot during the incident and was taken to a metro hospital where he underwent surgery on Wednesday night. Roland was in the apartment's parking lot when the gunman shot him from an apartment balcony.

Des Moines police Officer Todd Roland was shot in the hand as the standoff began.

"When you're dealing with a subject and they've already shot a police officer with the intent to kill, you know anything goes at this point," Lavorato said.

More than 30 police units and tactical teams were at the scene and surrounding the building where the man was holed up.

After the officer was shot, police heard the gun go off a second time.

"At that point, we believe, that's when he shot and killed the female," Lavorato said.

Residents were forced to evacuate and watch officers gather around the area with armor and high-powered rifles.

"I'm actually worried," said witness James Light. "My mom's in there and there's a guy with a gun. That's not cool."

Lavorato identified the man as Randall Moore and later identified the victim as his wife, Tereseann Moore, 30. She was a veteran of the Iowa National Guard and had served three tours of duty in the Middle East.

Court records show she requested a protective order against Moore on October 13th and a judge granted that order.

Lavorato said police learned that Moore had a shotgun with 20 rounds. They said they didn't know whether his wife was still alive, but said they had no choice but to go in.

Tereseann Moore served in the Iowa National Guard, including three tours of duty in the Middle East.

"One of our hostage negotiators was speaking with him throughout this ordeal," Sgt. Lavorato said, "and talked him into putting down the weapon and coming out. That was at the point our tactical unit decided that since we believed a female was possibly shot, it was imperative that we got in there as soon as we found that information out. We wanted to get to her. It just so happened that when he put the weapon down, that's when our entry team met him at the door. He did give up peacefully and went into police custody."

Moore was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder and kidnapping. He was taken to the Polk County Jail

"We risked our lives to go in there to get her help," she said."It was too late."

Lavorato said the couple has a child who was picked up by police from a daycare and is OK.

Lavorato said the name of the injured officer would be released later after his family is notified. "What I've been told is it's minor and not life-threatening, which is a very good thing to hear." Lavorato said.

Court records show that Moore has a long history of violent crimes dating back to 1999. He was convicted twice on harassment charges, three times for assault and twice for violating protective orders.

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