FREMONT – A Rose Hill man is dead after a shooting that took place outside of the Casey’s General Store in Fremont.
According to the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting was reported yesterday evening (Sunday, February 1) at approximately 5:20pm. Members of the Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the Casey’s located at 203 East Main Street in Fremont.
Court records state that 45-year-old Michael Lee of Fremont had entered the store and was subsequently involved in a verbal altercation with 45-year-old David Michael Dyke of rural Rose Hill. Dyke eventually exited the store and sat inside his vehicle, which was parked directly in front of the store. A short time later, Lee exited the store and once again engaged in a verbal altercation with Dyke.
According to court documents, Dyke then exited his vehicle and the situation escalated into a physical altercation. During the altercation, Lee allegedly produced a .38 caliber revolver and fired several gunshots. At least one round struck Dyke, while at least one other round was shot into the convenience store.
When law enforcement arrived, Dyke was found deceased in the parking lot.
Sheriff’s Officials contacted the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Major Crimes Unit, which is now assisting with the investigation into Dyke’s death.
In the early morning hours today, at approximately 2:45am, Lee was located at his residence in Fremont on North Walnut Street. Lee was arrested and charged with 1st Degree Murder, a class A felony. He was booked into the Mahaska County Jail and remains in custody on a $500,000 cash-only bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 11.
In an interview with law enforcement, Lee allegedly stated that Dyke was on top of him when he reached into his right coat pocket and fired multiple shots from the revolver; however, authorities say that physical evidence and witness statements contradict this testimony.
The body of David Dyke was transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny, where an autopsy will be performed.
Authorities believe that this was an isolated incident and that there is no danger to the public. The investigation remains ongoing.
In addition to the DCI, the Sheriff’s Office was also assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, the Oskaloosa Police Department, the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, the Mahaska County Dispatch Center, the Cedar Township Fire Department, and Mahaska Health.
KBOE/KMZN will have more information on this story as it is released.
