County Attorney: Agent in Breckenridge Estates Fatal Shooting Used 'Reasonable Force'

An undercover law enforcement agent used "reasonable force" in a shooting during a drug sting that left a man dead last week, according to findings from an investigation released today.

The officer "acted with reasonable force and was justified in his actions," concluded the investigation conducted by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, Iowa City Police Department, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office and assistance from other local agencies.

The agent involved in the , 24, dead is identified as Daniel Stepleton of the state Division of Narcotics Enforcement. He was working undercover with a second agent at the Breckenridge Trailer Court Unit 7C, 4494 Taft Ave. shortly before 7 p.m. on Aug. 16, according to a statement from Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness.

Stepleton is a 27-year veteran of the Department of Public Safety, including 23 years with DNE.

The statement from Lyness lays out the events that led to the shooting, based on the investigation:

Hardemon directed the two officers into the trailer, at which point two men with cloths covering their faces and hats on emerged from the back of the trailer carrying clubs rods.

Hardemon pulled a black handgun out of his backpack and directed one of the of the masked to pat down the agents. Stepleton, had a handgun tucked into the back waistband of his pants.

Once the man felt the weapon, Stepleton leaned back against the wall to prevent him from taking it. Hardemon then pointed the gun at Stepleton's head, "actually touching Stepleton's head with the barrel, and made statement about shooting him.

Stepleton then pushed the weapon away and simultaneously retrieved the gun from his waistband and fired four times. The bullets struck Hardemon in the chest and arm, and DeMarco Dudley twice in the arm.

Hardemon, Dudley and the third man ran out the back of the trailer, across the street and to a vacant lot. Hardemon died in the back of the lot and the two other men fled.

Dudley, 22, was dropped off at the hospital, and was arrested after being treated. He was charged with first-degree robbery.

was apprehended last Friday after a four-hour standoff with police. Mulbah was charged with felony cocaine distribution for selling 10.1 grams of cocaine for $850 to an undercover Division of Narcotics Enforcement Special Agent on Davis Street on Aug. 13 at 4:00 p.m., according to a criminal complaint.

, DeMarco's brother, turned himself in on Sunday night. Police previously said he drove his brother and dropped him off an unidentified location. Norman Dudley was charged with felony cocaine distribution for selling 14.1 grams of cocaine base for $950 near the K-Mart at 901 Hollywood Boulevard at 5:39 p.m. on Aug. 14, according to a criminal complaint.