DES MOINES, IOWA (August 31, 2026) — In a report issued today, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office has concluded that the July 26, 2026, fatal shooting of Keegan Dean Kennedy by Jefferson Police Department Police Officer Shaydon Thurman was legally justified.
The AG’s conclusion was based on a review and investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The investigation found that, at approximately 1:25AM, Sunday, July 26, 2026, Jefferson Police Officer Shaydon Thurman attempted a traffic stop on a black sedan for careless driving, speeding, and two stop-sign violations. The driver, later identified as Keegan Dean Kennedy, began to attempt to elude the officer, turning on various streets throughout town before heading west into Greene County on 245th Street. There was also a passenger observed in the sedan. Greene County Deputy Zach Barden joined the pursuit as well.
As Kennedy proceeded westbound on 245th Street, speeds began to slow drastically, and the car began angling toward the ditch. Before the car came to a stop, Kennedy jumped from the car and began running at Officer Thurman’s vehicle, gripping a sharp object in his right arm raised above his head. Kennedy was wearing pants and a hoody with the hood up over his head, gloves, and a mask covering his face. Officer Thurman was able to get out of his car as Kennedy reached his vehicle and fired at his rapidly-approaching attacker. Despite being fired on, Kennedy continued around the officer’s driver’s side door and stabbed at the officer’s head. Officer Thurman sustained a stab wound to his face and was able to push Kennedy off him. Officer Thurman fired additional rounds at Kennedy until he was no longer a threat.
During this time, Deputy Barden exited his vehicle, hearing gunfire. Deputy Barden then observed the front-seat passenger flee from the black car into the ditch and into a nearby corn field. Deputy Barden could see Officer Thurman bleeding from the left side of his head and Kennedy laying on his back on the ground.
He attempted life-saving measures on Kennedy until medical personnel arrived. Kennedy died from his wounds at the scene. Officer Thurman was treated at the hospital for a stab wound to his face.
The Dodge Charger Kennedy was driving was determined to have been stolen from a residence in Jefferson that night. Law enforcement had received multiple reports of vehicles stolen in the Jefferson and Scranton areas in the preceding days. The knife Kennedy wielded against the officer was a short, fixed-blade knife with a ring grip. Kennedy’s family advised that, approximately a week prior to July 26, Kennedy had indicated that if he was approached by law enforcement, he would commit “suicide by cop.”
Officers located a juvenile on foot in Carroll County at approximately 3AM that morning, and believe him to be the car’s passenger, though he denied any involvement.
The report is issued under the AG’s independent authority under Iowa Code section 13.2 to investigate or prosecute conduct of law enforcement that results in death.
A copy of the report is available here.
