On July 5, 2014, 59-year-old Marilyn Denise Ambrose Boyd was shot and killed by an Ankeny police officer during a welfare check at her home on Southwest Springfield Drive. Boyd had sent texts saying she had nothing more to live for and that she loved her son and grandchildren; her daughter‑in‑law called 911 to report Boyd was suicidal and had a handgun. Officers found Boyd inside with a semi‑automatic firearm. Police say officers repeatedly ordered her to drop the weapon and that she pointed the gun in the direction of officers before Officer Aaron King fired, striking her. Boyd was taken to a hospital and died of two gunshot wounds; her blood alcohol content on admission was 0.145.

The shooting was investigated by the Ankeny Police Department and presented to a grand jury. No criminal charges were filed against Officer King. Anyone who knew Marilyn Boyd or witnessed the incident is asked to share information.