September 11, 2024

Creston man charged with attempted murder

By CHEYENNE ROCHE
Blood is splattered in a roped off crime scene where the victim of a shooting Thursday morning drove themselves to Greater Regional Medical Center.

Blood is splattered in a roped off crime scene where the victim of a shooting Thursday morning drove themselves to Greater Regional Medical Center. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

A Creston man was airlifted after being shot Thursday morning in an apartment building parking lot in Creston and another has been arrested and charged with attempted murder.

A 911 call received by Union County Dispatch at 7:37 a.m. reported gunshots in the 800 block of North Lincoln Street. While en route, Greater Regional Health contacted the Union County Law Enforcement Center stating Nathan Novotny, 19, of Creston, had driven himself to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

The hospital and other local buildings went into lockdown until the suspect turned himself in at the Union County Law Enforcement Center.

The hospital and other local buildings went into lockdown until the suspect turned himself in at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

The hospital, area schools and the courthouse all initiated lockdown procedures through the morning as the suspect was not yet apprehended.

At approximately 10 a.m., Daniel L. McDowell,  22, of Creston, turned himself into the law center. With McDowell in custody, the Creston Police Department gave the all-clear, ending the lockdowns.

According to a Creston Police report, McDowell’s girlfriend, Kristina Marcum, stated Novotny had followed them while driving on North Lincoln Street.

McDowell and Marcum pulled into the parking lot of McDowell’s apartment building, Novotny following them into the lot.

McDowell parked his SUV in the lot and Novotny blocked them in with his vehicle.

The shooting is reported to have taken place in the parking lot of an apartment building in the 800 block of North Lincoln Street.

The shooting is reported to have taken place in the parking lot of an apartment building in the 800 block of North Lincoln Street. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

Marcum said she witnessed McDowell fire three rounds from his handgun at Novotny, who was sitting in his vehicle.

McDowell proceeded to leave the scene, driving to an unknown location and disposing  of the handgun.

Novotny was treated at Greater Regional before being airlifted to a Des Moines area hospital for additional treatment. He is expected to recover.

McDowell was arrested without incident at approximately 2:30 p.m. by Creston Police officers and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

He was charged with attempted murder and a probation violation.

McDowell was actively under probation for 2021 felony burglary and theft convictions in Union County. An Iowa Department of Correctional Services report filed Thursday requests the court revoke his probation in light of Thursday’s events.

He was transported to the Union County Jail where he is being held.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office assisted.

The investigation is ongoing.

Creston
Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.