A Tuesday afternoon incident in Spencer, Iowa that involved law enforcement ended with a Spirit Lake man taking his own life.
According to a press release from the Clay County Sheriff's Office, a Clay County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle at approximately 4:10 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of 11th Street Southwest and 11th Avenue Southwest in Spencer. The vehicle, a 1998 red Chevrolet pickup truck, was operated by Andrew Phillips, 30, of Spirit Lake.
The press release said the vehicle failed to stop for law enforcement and continued through the city limits of Spencer. During the pursuit, Phillips displayed a firearm and discharged it one time outside of the vehicle window. The pursuit continued through Spencer and went through the new construction zone of the Spencer Municipal Hospital located in the 100 block of East 11th Street, causing significant damage to the property.
Phillips continued to drive until he reached the parking lot of the First Christian Church at 701 E. 18th St., at which time he took his own life while still inside the vehicle.
The Spencer Middle School and First Christian Church were placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure during this time. Assisting the Clay County Sheriff's Office were the Spencer Police Department, Iowa State DNR, Iowa State Patrol, Spencer Fire Department, Spencer Ambulance and Clay County Medical Examiner's Office.
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