James Comstock only wanted to teach his teenage son a lesson when he called the cops on him for taking off with his truck. He never anticipated the cops killing him, though. The U.S. dad is devastated and outraged after the police shot 19-year-old Tyler Comstock on Monday during a car chase.

It started with a pack of cigarettes and ended with death.

Mr Comstock from Ames, Iowa told Des Moines Register how the tragedy began. He said that his son retaliated by taking off with his truck when he refused to buy him a pack of cigarettes. And to teach the younger Comstock a lesson, the father reported the truck as stolen to the police.

What he didn't know is that the police would be taking extreme measures to bring back the truck.

The police received a report of a stolen vehicle past ten in the morning on Monday. Ames Police Officer Adam McPherson pursued Tyler as he drove around the Iowa State University campus. Tyler reportedly stopped the vehicle and reversed, ramming into the police car.

He allegedly sped away again, running a red light and driving against one-way traffic in the bike and pedestrian lanes. The chase continued until Tyler stopped and then revved the engine.

When the driver ignored the command to turn off the vehicle, McPherson responded by firing six shots into the truck, hitting Comstock in the process. The driver was taken to the Mary Greeley Medical Centre, where he was pronounced dead. Iowa state medical examiner's office learned that he died from two gunshot wounds.

Ames police Cmdr George Huff told The Gazette that Tyler threatened police when he rammed vehicles.

"There were fewer people out and about at that time. Had it occurred between classes, there would have been thousands of people walking along the sidewalks and in the central campus area. We are very fortunate no one else was hurt."

But Tyler's death was not fortunate.

"It was over a damn pack of cigarettes. I wouldn't buy him none. And I lose my son for that," Mr Comstock told The Des Moines Register. The incensed father added that his son was not even carrying a weapon when he was chased by the police.

Tyler's step-grandfather, Gary Shepley, also questioned the actions of the police.

"So he didn't shut the damn truck off, so let's fire six rounds at him? We're confused, and we don't understand," Mr Shepley said.

The Iowa State University police and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are investigating the case, with the DCI leading the investigation into whether or not McPherson should be charged.

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