Dog may have led to shooting that killed Burlington woman

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) - A dog may have led a Burlington police officer to fire shots that led to a woman's death during a dispute at her home, according to a neighbor who said he witnessed the shooting.

Autumn Mae Steele, 34, died Tuesday after being shot by an officer who was trying to quell a disturbance between Steele and her husband, Gabriel Steele, the Hawk Eye newspaper reported (http://bit.ly/14vDy8M ).

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, which is leading the investigation, identified the officer Wednesday as Jesse Hill. He has been with the Burlington Police Department since August 2013.

Neighbor Ed Ranck told the newspaper that he watched as the officer was trying to break up an argument and then was startled by the couple's German shepherd. The officer fired shots and fell to the ground, according to Ranck.

DCI said Hill fired his weapon twice, with one round striking Steele in the mid-torso. She was pronounced dead a short time later. An autopsy is scheduled Thursday.

Authorities are still interviewing witnesses, Agent Richard Rahn told The Associated Press, but declined to give additional details. A press release from the agency said Hill received treatment for at least one dog bite after the shooting.

Less than hour before Tuesday's shooting, Autumn Steele was released from a county jail on a charge of domestic abuse assault causing injury.

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Information from: The Hawk Eye, http://www.thehawkeye.com