Authorities in Des Moines said Thursday that a woman injured in a Christmas Day murder-suicide has succumbed to her injuries.
An off-duty officer responded to the woman’s home in the 2900 block of E. 40th Court after hearing gunshots.
He and fellow officers found a 60-year-old man dead at the scene and his 53-year-old wife critically injured.
Investigators determined the man shot his wife and then himself. The woman was taken to the hospital where she later succumbed.
Police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said the couple’s identities were not released “due to the significant traumatic impact on the surviving family.”
Next-door neighbor James Creek said the husband carried out the murder-suicide after striking and kicking his wife in the head.
“I was grabbing my clothes and shoes, prepping to go break it up. That’s when the shots rang out and I yelled to [his wife], close the door and lock it. He’s shooting.”
“It’s bewildering to me. I never saw them raise their voices to each other before. I can’t imagine what was behind it, but his rage was definitely targeted.”
