Merrill, Iowa — A rural Merrill man who was charged in the May 11th shooting death of another rural Merrill man has had his charges upgraded to 1st Degree Murder.
According to the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, they were called to the Thomas Knapp residence in rural Merrill for a shooting incident, which resulted in the death of 51-year-old Kevin Leroy Juzek. At that time, authorities charged the then 81-year-old Knapp with Domestic Abuse Assault while Displaying or Use of a Weapon.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney’s Office have continued their investigation into the death. Recently authorities say they received the final autopsy report from the Iowa State Medical Examiner, which they say confirmed the preliminary findings determining the manner of death as Homicide and the cause of death as gunshots to the abdomen and upper torso of the victim.
Plymouth County authorities say a warrant for Knapp’s arrest on a charge of 1st Degree Murder was subsequently issued, and was served on Knapp at the Plymouth County Jail, where he remains in custody.
Court records in the case indicate that Knapp is accused of firing a 20-gauge shotgun through a bedroom door, striking Juzek. Juzek then made it to a living room area where Knapp allegedly fired a second shot to Juzek’s chest.
Knapp remains in custody in the Plymouth County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
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Original story posted 4:05 pm, May 12, 2020
Merrill, Iowa — A rural Merrill man is dead in the aftermath of a domestic disturbance that happened shortly before noon Monday.
According to the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, they were called to a domestic dispute at a rural Merrill address, and while enroute, were notified that there had been a gunshot, and that someone had been shot.
Once they arrived, deputies learned that there was one deceased male inside the residence who had suffered a gunshot wound. Authorities have identified the deceased as 51-year-old Kevin Leroy Juzek of rural Merrill.
Juzek’s body was transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny for an autopsy.
The alleged shooter, who authorities identify as 81-year-old Thomas Jordan Knapp of rural Merrill, was taken into custody without incident after exiting the home. Deputies say Knapp was charged with Aggravated Domestic Assault While Displaying or Use of a Weapon, 1st Offense, and at last report, was being held in the Plymouth County Jail in Le Mars on a $5,000 bond.
According to a release from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, both the victim and the alleged shooter resided at the same address where the incident occurred.
