(UPI) -- A father who reported his truck stolen after his 19-year-old son took off in it was hoping to teach him a lesson, but learned a brutal lesson of his own after police shot and killed his son Monday morning on Iowa State University’s campus.

James Comstock wouldn’t buy cigarettes for his son, Tyler, which prompted the youth to make off with the truck.


“He took off with my truck. I call the police, and they kill him,” James said. “It was over a damn pack of cigarettes. I wouldn’t buy him none. And I lose my son for that.”

After the truck was reported stolen, Ames Police Officer Adam McPherson pursued Tyler into ISU’s campus. At some point during the chase, Tyler reportedly rammed McPherson’s car. The teen eventually stopped the truck, but continued to rev the engine and refused orders to turn it off.

Tyler was struck by two of the six shots McPherson fired into the truck, and later pronounced dead. He was not carrying a weapon.

Gary Shepley, Tyler’s step-grandfather, is demanding answers.

“They’re professionals,” Shepley said. “They’re trained to handle these situations. And if they panic before they even know what’s going on, then ask yourself: What if it was your child? So he didn’t shut the damn truck off, so let’s fire six rounds at him? We’re confused, and we don’t understand.”

No one else was injured during the incident.