August 9, 2021
DES MOINES, Iowa - On Sunday evening at 10:12 p.m., Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call indicating a male subject was in Kellerton, Iowa, and had displayed a gun in a threatening manner. Ringgold County Deputies quickly located the suspect and attempted to make a traffic stop. The vehicle, driven by Chance Newton, led officers on a high speed pursuit. During the pursuit, Newton fired shots at a pursuing deputy’s vehicle, striking the vehicle. The pursuit ended when Chance Newton was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound while driving through the town. His vehicle then left the roadway and struck a tree. Chance Newton was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement officers fired their weapons, and no officers were injured.
At 10:44 p.m., a male called 911 to report that he had been shot along with a female occupant as they were traveling in a vehicle along county road J45 in Lamoni. During the investigation, it was discovered that there was an ongoing dispute between Chance Newton and Joseph Vanderflught. During an interview with law enforcement, Vanderflught stated that he fired upon a vehicle traveling on J45 because he thought it was the vehicle of Newton. Both occupants were treated at the Ringgold County Hospital and transported to MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. Both were listed in stable condition. As a result, Vanderflught was charged with two counts of Attempted Murder. He was arrested without incident and is currently being held in the Decatur County Jail.
Assistance was provided by the Iowa State Patrol, the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office, the Leon Police Department and the Lamoni Police Department. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the incident.
PHOTO: Joseph Vanderflught
ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes six divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.
Iowa Department of Public Safety
215 E 7th St
Des Moines IA 50319
https://dps.iowa.gov
215 E 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50319
Director of the Division of Professional Development & Support Services.