Ottumwa man charged with attempted murder in shooting

WAPELLO COUNTY, Iowa — An Ottumwa man is being held in the Wapello County Jail on an attempted murder charge following a shooting and a chase Monday.

According to the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy tried to pull over a Chrysler 300 around 4:27 p.m. in connection with an investigation into a shooting that happened early Monday morning in Ottumwa. The driver, 27-year-old Dylan DeKraai, was a possible suspect in the shooting.

The deputy attempted the traffic stop on East Main Street in Ottumwa but DeKraai refused to stop and sped away, entering rural Wapello County. The WCSO said the vehicle pulled into a residence at 2246 100th Avenue and two people ran from the car. The deputy chased them and was able to take DeKraai into custody.

A news release from the Ottumwa Police Department said a vehicle driven by a gunshot victim was found at the employee entrance of the Ottumwa Police Department at about 2:11 a.m. Monday. The victim, 38-year-old Justin Reeves, told police he was sitting in his vehicle in front of 203 S. Adams in Ottumwa when he was shot and he then drove to the police station for help.

A criminal complaint filed in the case said DeKraai and Reeves were arguing when DeKraai pulled a gun and fired one shot at him at a close distance. The bullet traveled through the vehicle’s door and struck Reeves in the left hip.

OPD said Reeves was transported to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City for treatment. He was listed in critical condition.

Dekraai is being held without bond.

The investigation into the incident continues and additional charges are pending.

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