(Le Mars) — Additional charges of first degree murder have now been assessed to 82-year old Thomas Knapp of rural Merrill. You may recall, law enforcement authorities were called to the Knapp residence at 20139 Echo Road on May 11th for a report of a shooting incident. That shooting incident resulted in the
death of 51-year old Kevin LeRoy Juzek. At that time, Knapp was charged with domestic abuse assault while displaying or use of a weapon. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney’s Office have continued their investigation into the death. Recently, the final autopsy was received by the Iowa State Medical Examiner. That report confirmed the preliminary
findings of determining the manner of death to Juzek as homicide and the cause of death were gunshot wounds to the abdomen and upper torso of the victim. The investigation showed that on May 11th, Knapp willfully and deliberately, and with premeditation did kill Juzek. According to the investigation report, Knapp fired a 20-gauge shotgun through a bedroom door
striking Juzek. Juzek then made it to a living room area where Knapp fired a second shot to the chest of Juzek. Knapp was taken into custody on May 11th and remains incarcerated. Judge Daniel Vakulskas issued a warrant for Knapp. He is
being held without bond at the Plymouth County Jail.
