Iowa trooper on leave linked to gunshot inside state office

The Associated Press | The Des Moines Register

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa trooper who has been on paid leave for 10 months has been linked to a gunshot that occurred inside a state office building.

Iowa State Patrol spokesman Nathan Ludwig said the incident involving trooper Wade Karp occurred in December 2016. He said a service weapon was discharged at the patrol's Post 16 inside the Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines, where Karp was assigned.

Ludwig said no one was injured, and that reports detailing the incident are confidential personnel records.

It wasn't clear whether the discharge was accidental or if it's part of the internal investigation facing Karp.

The Associated Press reported Monday that Karp has been on leave since Sept. 5 and has earned nearly $50,000 since then. The patrol has refused to explain the reason.

Karp said he hasn't committed misconduct. He didn't respond to inquiries about the discharge.

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