CHARLES CITY -- The man shot in by a state trooper following a chase last week in Floyd County has been charged with attempted murder and the trooper has been exonerated, state and local criminal justice officials said at a news conference Friday afternoon.

Lawrence William Filippo, 29, of Cedar Falls, has been charged with the crime in connection with an incident with Iowa State Patrol trooper Mark Domino on U.S. Highway 218 in Floyd County Feb. 16.

Floyd County Attorney Jesse Marzen said that, following an investigation he determined there was no evidence of any wrongdoing on Domino's part and the matter will not be submitted to a grand jury. The investigation was conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Filippo was arrested early Friday in Cedar Falls and is being held in the Floyd County Jail on $500,000 bond.

Iowa DCI Director Steve Bogle said the attempted murder charge stems from Filippo driving at Domino while Domino was on foot. Domino then fired on Filippo's vehicle.

State officials would not discuss the number or extent of Filippo's injuries, though family members said he was struck twice in the back of the head. He was released from a hospital in Rochester, Minn. earlier this week.

The following discription of events leading up to the shooting appears on the Iowa Department of Public Safety Web site:

"At approximately 7:50 a.m., State Trooper Mark Domino advises ISP Communications that he had the Durango in sight at 260th Street just north of Nashua and that the vehicle was all over the road. Trooper Domino attempts to initiate a traffic stop on the Durango. As Trooper Domino engages his emergency lights, his in-car camera activates. However, the device indicates the video tape is full and as a result the device does not record. Trooper Domino advises ISP Communications of this and also indicates the driver is not stopping.

"At 7:53 a.m., Trooper Domino advises ISP Communications that the suspect vehicle had entered the median and he is going to take the vehicle out using legal intervention. As a result, both the suspect vehicle and Trooper Domino's vehicle end up in the median of highway 218 near the 226 mile marker, approximately 2 miles south of Charles City.

"Based on an evaluation of the physical evidence at the scene and interviews with eye witnesses, DCI was able to determine the following facts: after legal intervention, Trooper Domino's vehicle becomes stuck in the snow packed median. Trooper Domino exits his patrol car and as he approaches the rear of the Durango the Durango exits the median and travels across 218m entering the north ditch. The Durango then spins around and stops near the traveled portion of Highway 218. At this time, Trooper Domino approaches the Durango with his weapon drawn and orders FILLIPO from the vehicle several times; however, FILLIPO does not comply with any of Trooper Domino's commands. Trooper Domino attempts to open the driver's door of FILLIPO'S vehicle however, he cannot get the door open. At this time Trooper Domino steps away from the driver's door and steps in front of the Durango where he can make eye contact with FILLIPO and again orders him from the vehicle. At this time FILLIPO accelerates, driving directly at Trooper Domino. Trooper Domino fires his weapon four times while at the same time retreating from the front of the vehicle.

"Two rounds enter the vehicle through the front windshield of the Durango and it is believed at least one round enters through the front driver's door window. FILLIPO was struck in the head. However, until such time as all medical records are obtained it is unclear as to how many times he was struck or where exactly the entrance and exit wounds are located. At this time the Durango enters the median before coming to a stop. Trooper Domino immediately advises ISP Communications that shots have been fired and an ambulance is needed at his location.

Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com