Marquis Jones, 27

Burlington, Iowa
October 01, 2017

Cause of death: Shooting

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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

An autopsy report released today indicates Marquis “Bubba” Jones died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

Rick Rahn, special agent in charge of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, said the autopsy on Jones was performed Tuesday at the University of Iowa’s Decedent Care Center, but the results were not finalized until Thursday.

“The forensic pathologist has ruled the cause of Marquis Jones’ death was from a single gunshot wound of the chest/abdomen,” he said in a press release issued Thursday afternoon. “The investigation is ongoing and no additional information will be released at this time.”

Rahn did not say how long it would take the DCI to complete its investigation. He said the results of the investigation will be turned over to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office for review.

Jones, 27, of Burlington, was fatally shot by police as he attempted to flee on foot during a traffic stop Sunday afternoon on South Hill. At the time of the shooting, Jones had an active warrant for his arrest for a parole violation.

The two Burlington officers involved in the shooting have been identified as Chris “Chip” Chiprez and Josh Riffel.

“Preliminary findings indicate only Officer Chiprez discharged his duty weapon,” Rahn said. “Both officers remain on paid administrative.

“The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) conducted interviews of both Burlington police officers involved in the Oct. 1 shooting incident. Both officers provided voluntary statements and have cooperated with the investigation.”

Rahn declined to comment on any statements — some that claim Jones was shot five times in the back, or which cite evidence of police misconduct — concerning the shooting that are being made on social media websites or what impact those comments may be having into the DCI’s investigation.

Chiprez, a veteran of the police force, was training Riffel, who joined the department in May. At the time of the shooting, Riffel was riding with Chiprez as part of his field training. Chiprez is a certified training officer with the police department.

Jones was fatally shot following a traffic stop about 2 p.m. Sunday near Ninth and Maple streets. Authorities said Jones was attempting to flee the scene of the traffic stop when he was shot.

In a press release issued Sunday evening, Lt. Greg Allen, commander of Burlington’s criminal investigation division, said the incident began when the two officers initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle Jones was driving at Ninth and Vine streets in Burlington.

“Officers made contact with the driver of the vehicle near the 600 block of Maple Street, where preliminary findings indicate one officer discharged his service weapon,” Allen said. “A handgun was recovered at the scene.”

Authorities have not said who the handgun belonged to or if it had been fired during the incident. Jones was transported to Great River Medical Center in West Burlington where he was pronounced dead.

Jones had been released from prison in December 2015 and placed on parole. He was scheduled to be discharged from parole in March 2018.

However, court records indicate his parole officer filed documents in April 2016 citing numerous parole violations. According to the affidavit, Jones violated his parole by testing positive for illegal drugs and for failing to appear for numerous scheduled appointments with his parole officer.

Sunday’s shooting is the first police-related shooting in Burlington since Autumn Steele was fatally shot by police during a domestic disturbance outside her residence in January 2015.

Burlington police officer Jesse Hill was cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting of Steele. He returned to active duty following the DCI’s completion of its investigation and the subsequent review of Des Moines County Attorney Amy Beavers.