MAQUOKETA, Iowa (AP) — A 71-year-old man committed suicide after firing at the county assessor following a meeting at an eastern Iowa county courthouse, authorities said.
The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner said in a news release that Francis “Gus” Glaser died from a gunshot wound to his neck and head at the Jackson County Courthouse Tuesday. The examiner said Glaser killed himself.
Investigators found evidence that suggested Glaser had bene planning to commit suicide, Jackson County Sheriff Russ Kettmann said Wednesday.
Glaser pulled a handgun from a briefcase as a group prepared to leave a recently adjourned county supervisors meeting Tuesday morning at the courthouse in Maquoketa. Glaser demanded the meeting resume so officials could discuss his rising property taxes, said county Supervisor Jack Willey.
Despite pleas to put down the gun, Glaser took a shot at county assessor Deb Lane and missed, several witnesses said. Larry Koos, another county supervisor, tackled Glaser to the floor. The gun went off again. Glaser was pronounced dead at the scene.
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