PELLA – The Pella Police Department issued a statement addressing video footage that was circulating the internet of an arrest that occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, October 8, involving the use of force.

In the statement, Pella Police Chief Shane McSheehy said that, based on the information gathered during their investigation, officers were responding to reports of a suspect who had allegedly engaged in an unprovoked assault against an adult female who was walking with her one-year-old child. The victim reported that she did not know the suspect and had never met him prior to the encounter. 

The Pella Police Department says that officers considered the man to be a continued risk to public safety, given the nature of the allegations, the apparent random selection of the victim, and his subsequent attempt to flee from law enforcement. The man was later identified as 37-year-old Michael Christopher Dejoode.

When officers attempted to contact Dejoode, he allegedly ignored lawful commands repeatedly, fled on foot through multiple areas of the community, and continued to resist efforts to take him into custody. Officers ultimately detained and arrested him after an extended foot pursuit.

Dejoode now faces charges of Interference with Official Acts – Bodily Injury (serious misdemeanor) and 3rd Degree Harassment (simple misdemeanor). The Pella Police Department stated that they are conducting a thorough review of the actions taken by their officers during the incident and that body-worn camera footage and all available evidence will be considered as part of that process.