Police said a Dubuque man attempted to fire a weapon while he was being placed under arrest. 28-year-old Kentrell V. Powell of Dubuque was arrested at 10:58 p.m. Thursday on charges of interference with official acts with a firearm, assault on persons in certain occupations with use or display of a weapon, fifth-degree theft, control of a firearm by a felon and public intoxication. Court documents state that an officer responded at about 10:20 p.m. Thursday to Casey’s General Store on Peru Road, for a report of a theft that turned into a disturbance. After officers arrived on the scene, Powell ignored commands to stop walking away and was placed under arrest, documents state. An officer noted that Powell’s speech was slurred and that he was unsteady while walking. Police searched Powell while he was in handcuffs. Powell started to lean back excessively as if he were “trying to reach down his backside,” documents state. Police body camera footage picked up a “snap” “similar to a handgun hammer dropping,” and officers retrieved a gun from Powell’s person.
