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Feglys Antonio Campos Arriba

Age : 36

Gender : Male

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 08/15/2025

Location : Washington Park

City : Denison

County : Crawford

State : Iowa

Agency : Denison Police Department

Officer(s) :Alan Romero

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Unhoused man killed by police during attempted arrest for sleeping in park after hours

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/15/2025, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Denison Police Department Sergeant Alan Romero responded to Washington Park after police received a report that a man was sleeping in the park after hours. Romero found 36-year-old Feglys Antonio Campos Arriba, a Cuban immigrant who had recently become homeless, sitting under a blanket on the park's bandshell stage. Police had encountered Campos Arriba at the park the previous day and told him he could not camp there.
According to the subsequent Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation investigation, Romero spoke with Campos Arriba in Spanish and told him he could leave the park or be arrested for trespassing. Campos Arriba chose arrest, stood up and initially placed his hands behind his back. As Romero began applying handcuffs, police said Campos Arriba turned toward him and moved toward the officer rather than keeping his hands behind his back. Romero moved away and gave additional commands before deploying his Taser, which investigators said had little effect.
According to the Iowa Attorney General's reconstruction, Campos Arriba followed Romero off the bandshell stage and assumed a fighting stance. Romero attempted to take him to the ground, and a physical struggle followed. Investigators said Campos Arriba wrapped his arms around Romero and bit Romero's left ear, tearing away a large portion of it. Romero broke free and moved away, but investigators said Campos Arriba continued pursuing him.
Romero fired three rounds as Campos Arriba approached him, striking him once in the chest. Romero's service weapon then malfunctioned. Investigators said Romero continued moving away while attempting to clear the malfunction as Campos Arriba continued toward him. After clearing the weapon, Romero turned and fired three additional rounds. Campos Arriba fell to the ground. Romero called for emergency medical assistance and attempted to control the bleeding from his own ear while awaiting medical personnel. Campos Arriba and Romero were transported to a local hospital, where Campos Arriba died from his gunshot wounds. Romero was treated and released, but the injury to his ear resulted in permanent disfigurement and required continuing medical treatment.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the shooting, interviewing Romero and reviewing available police body-camera recordings and surveillance footage from Washington Park. On 09/09/2025, the Iowa Attorney General's Office released its review and determined that Romero's use of deadly force was legally justified, concluding that he had attempted less-lethal measures before firing his handgun and reasonably believed he faced continuing physical danger.
Campos Arriba's death generated concern within Denison's Latino community. Friends and residents described him as a previously employed Smithfield worker who had lost his job after his temporary work authorization expired and had subsequently become homeless. People who knew him questioned the official account and called for greater transparency and release of the complete police video. A witness who lived across from Washington Park reported hearing gunfire and then seeing Campos Arriba fall on the grass.
Romero was placed on paid administrative leave immediately following the shooting. Denison Police Department records identify him as a full-time sergeant who joined the department on 07/17/2018.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.ktiv.com/2025/08/16/investigation-underway-denison-after-officer-involved-shooting-washington-park/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/denison-police-identify-36-old-021110634.html
https://www.ketv.com/article/investigation-denison-officer-involved-shooting/61090232