In the weeks following the July 24 death of John Deng, many have raised issues regarding the legitimacy of the shooting and whether it was warranted. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office released its final report on Sept. 25, determining that Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy Terry Stotler was justified in shooting Deng because he was protecting the life of John Bohnenkamp, who had been stabbed by Deng.
Here’s where the ambiguities arise. Before the incident took place, Bohnenkamp and his wife were inside the Hawkeye Hideaway, a tavern on Prentiss Street. At the time they exited the bar, Deng was crossing the street carrying bags of bottles, one of which spilled its contents. Bohnenkamp then confronted Deng, ordering the Sudanese man to pick up the bottles.
Why in his right mind would Bohnenkamp care, let alone confront, a man who accidentally spilled his means of income? My first thought is that by consuming alcohol, Bohnenkamp’s inhibitions and judgment were to the point that he felt persuaded to do so. We’ve all seen the homeless people carrying garbage bags full of cans, but I have found no good reason to clash with them.
Although the police investigation tested Deng’s blood-alcohol content and found it to be .295 percent, they did not find it necessary to test Bohnenkamp’s. It is unacceptable for the police not to test the alcohol level of a man leaving a bar who was involved for the death of another, whether it was in self-defense
or not.
I say responsible for a good reason.
When Stotler identified himself and drew his gun after Deng stabbed Bohnenkamp, the deputy specifically yelled “Run! Get out of here” to Bohnenkamp, according to the official report. Instead of fleeing the situation, Bohnenkamp escalated it by striking Deng in the head, which prompted Deng to charge with the knife. Then Stotler discharged his weapon.
It’s highly disturbing that the Attorney General’s Office decided to close the books on the case with so many open-ended questions needing investigation. Bohnenkamp may be the victim in this ordeal, but we’re all responsible for the choices we make and the arguments we put ourselves in. Unfortunately, in this case, a man’s death looms as the result.
— by Michael Dale-Stein
