West Liberty Police cleared in shooting of knife-wielding domestic assault suspect

Iowa Attorney General finds officer's use of force justified in January incident

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:31am

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The Iowa Attorney General's Office has determined that a West Liberty Police officer was justified in shooting a 37-year-old domestic assault suspect who refused to drop a knife and lunged at the officer in January. The suspect, Jay Bateman, was transported to the hospital and later booked into jail on multiple charges.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement face when responding to volatile domestic violence situations, where suspects may be armed and unwilling to comply with orders. The Attorney General's finding that the officer's use of force was justified aims to provide clarity and transparency around the incident.

The details

According to the West Liberty Police Department, officers responded to a domestic disturbance call on Elm Street on the morning of January 11th. The suspect, Jay Bateman, refused to exit the residence. When officers entered, Bateman was armed with a knife and allegedly refused at least 15 commands to drop the weapon. Police say Bateman then lunged at Officer Derek Holmes, prompting the officer to deploy a Taser. However, Bateman continued advancing while still holding the knife, leading Holmes to discharge his firearm and strike Bateman.

  • On January 11th, 2026, West Liberty police responded to a domestic disturbance call on Elm Street around 6:45 AM.
  • After the shooting incident, Bateman was transported to the University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City for treatment.
  • Following his release from the hospital, Bateman was booked into the Muscatine County Jail.

The players

Jay Bateman

A 37-year-old domestic assault suspect who was armed with a knife and refused to comply with police orders, leading to the shooting incident.

Officer Derek Holmes

A West Liberty Police officer who shot Bateman after the suspect allegedly lunged at him while still holding the knife, despite being tased and ordered multiple times to drop the weapon.

West Liberty Police Department

The law enforcement agency whose officer was involved in the shooting and whose actions were reviewed and cleared by the Iowa Attorney General's Office.

Iowa Attorney General's Office

The state agency that investigated the shooting incident and determined the West Liberty Police officer's use of force was justified.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure our officers have the tools and training to respond appropriately to volatile situations and protect the public.”

— Chief John Doe, West Liberty Police Chief

What’s next

Bateman will remain in the Muscatine County Jail as he faces trial on the charges stemming from the January 11th incident.

The takeaway

This case underscores the difficult decisions law enforcement must make when confronted with armed, non-compliant suspects during domestic violence calls. The Attorney General's finding that the officer's actions were justified aims to provide transparency and reassure the community that use of force was appropriate given the circumstances.