An Ottumwa man was arrested after authorities say he discharged a shotgun during a verbal argument with his son.
68-year-old Jody Rupe has been charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon, tampering with a witness, and possession or carrying of dangerous weapons while under the influence.
According to the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, on Sunday, Rupe went to a residence on Rock Bluff Road with his girlfriend. Rupe’s wife lives at the residence.
After Rupe and his girlfriend took a pontoon boat on the Des Moines River, an argument ensued between Rupe and his wife at the boating dock. Court records say when Rupe’s son got involved, Rupe said he was going to go to the house in order to get a gun and kill his son.
Rupe and his girlfriend allegedly drove to the house 125 yards away and Rupe retrieved a shotgun. Deputies say Rupe returned to the river area where the argument continued and Rupe fired the shotgun twice in the air. Rupe got back into the vehicle and drove back up to the home, according to court documents.
The arrest report states the shotgun was later found by authorities in a detached garage in a stack of tires face down with a rag covering the butt of the weapon. Two spent shogun shells were found at the scene of the shooting. The deputy said he smelled one casing and it had the scent of a recently fired round.
Rupe allegedly admitted to law enforcement that he left to fetch the shotgun and then returned to the river area which escalated the argument.
While the deputy was conducting interviews, court records say Rupe sent a text to his wife that said “think about what you saying.” The deputy observed the text as an obvious attempt by Rupe to influence the statement his wife was going to give to the deputy.
Rupe was taken into custody and transported to the Wapello County Jail. He is currently free after posting an $8,000 bond.
Rupe waived his preliminary hearing, according to court documents.
