WEST BRANCH, Iowa (KCRG) – Authorities have identified the man shot by a West Branch police officer Wednesday as 22-year-old Kalen Tihpen. Court documents show Tihpen has a lengthy criminal history.
On Wednesday morning, Tihpen was shot four times by a West Branch officer and is in the ICU at University of Iowa Hospitals.
Criminal history
In 2020, Tihpen was charged with second-degree sexual abuse, assault causing bodily injury, and first-degree harassment. Court documents show he forced and threatened a 16-year-old girl who lived with him in Marion into sex acts. The victim reported that he allegedly hit her, choked her, and tried to smother her with a pillow. He took a plea deal that included probation and a year at a treatment facility.
In 2023, Tihpen was charged with first-degree burglary, assault with intent to inflict serious injury. Court documents show the victim reported that she asked Tihpen to leave her residence, when he then allegedly pushed her to the ground, kicked her, and choked her. In a plea deal, he was sentenced to a suspended prison sentence, five years probation and a year at a treatment facility…