An Urbandale, Ia., man accused of gunning down two police officers yesterday had a history of abrasive and racially charged run-ins with police and school officials, the Des Moines Register reports. Scott Michael Greene, 46, was kicked out of Urbandale High School’s football stadium last month after he claimed that spectators stole a Confederate flag he brought to a football game. In 2014, he faced a harassment charge after he called a man the N-word and threatened to kill him. “Most of our officers have some understanding of Mr. Greene,” said Urbandale Police Chief Ross McCarty. “They’ve taken trips to his house or delivered service to him.”
Sheriff’s deputies and Iowa State Patrol officers took Greene into custody yesterday morning, two hours after police officials identified him as the lone suspect in the shooting deaths of Urbandale officer Justin Martin and Des Moines police Sgt. Anthony Beminio. FBI spokeswoman Sandy Breault said federal agents are helping Des Moines area investigators in combing through evidence to get a picture of what motivated the attacks. Agents are “scouring” social media pages purportedly connected to Greene, including a Facebook page that includes “friends” who are Iraqi, Nigerian, or Saudi nationals. Greene seemed “eager” to make strange remarks that seemed aimed at getting people to engage him in conversation, said Bart Brandon, who has lived for nine years in a neighboring house. At least one court document suggests Greene struggled with a mental health issue. A probation officer said after Greene’s harassment arrest said he received a mental health evaluation and was taking recommended medications. Patricia Greene moved out of the house after a recent fight with her son that resulted in a serious misdemeanor domestic abuse charge filed against her.