Motive behind motel shooting unclear

MT. PLEASANT - Mt. Pleasant Police are still uncertain of the motive behind a shooting at a Mt. Pleasant motel Tuesday morning.

David Stott, 45, of Mt. Union, was charged with terrorism and first degree burglary after discharging his weapon into the Heidelburg Motel in Mt. Pleasant and entering a room. Stott fired his weapon from outside before entering the building. Law enforcement are still trying to understand what prompted Stott's actions.

As a result of the shooting, one victim sustained minor injuries and was transported to Henry County Health Center for treatment. At this time, the victim has been treated and released.

According to Mt. Pleasant Police Department's Lieutenant Ryan Pilling, Stott and the victim were only 'acquaintances,” with seemingly no further connection otherwise. The lieutenant notes law enforcement are still trying to figure out 'why Stott took it to the level that he took it to.”

During the shooting, Stott fired one shot, which prompted several witnesses in the motel to contact law enforcement, who received the call at 7:39 a.m. on Nov. 5. Pilling noted Stott and the victim were the only individuals in the room during the incident.

At the time law enforcement officers arrived on scene, Stott was attempting to leave the location. Witnesses informed officers of Stott's attempt to flee and gave a vehicle description. Stott was quickly pulled over at a nearby Pilot Truck Stop, about a half mile away from the motel, and taken into custody. Pilling says Stott was detained within roughly five minutes of law enforcement receiving the 911 calls.

Pilling noted that Stott was charged with terrorism in accordance to Iowa State Code 708A.2, which outlines terrorism as 'an act intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population ... by shooting, throwing, launching, discharging, or otherwise using a dangerous weapon at, into, or in a building, vehicle, airplane, railroad engine, railroad car, or boat occupied by another person.”

The lieutenant explained that Stott's firing of a gun into a building qualifies his act as terrorism by Iowa Code.