By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
FREMONT – 45-year-old Michael Joseph Lee of Fremont was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder just before 3:00 a.m. on Feb. 2, over a shooting that had happened earlier that night. According to the criminal complaint, on the evening of Feb. 1, Lee entered the Fremont Casey’s General Store and got into a verbal altercation with 45-year-old Rose Hill man David Michael Dyke. Dyke exited the store and sat in his vehicle which was parked in front of the Casey’s. A short time later, Lee exited the store and re-engaged Dyke. Dyke exited his vehicle and a verbal and physical altercation occurred between the two. During this altercation, Lee fired several shots from his concealed .38 caliber revolver, striking Dyke at least once. Dyke died in the parking lot from at least one gunshot wound. At least one round fired by Lee entered the Casey’s. Lee then called 911, stating that he had shot someone.
After law enforcement arrived, Lee claimed that Dyke had been on top of him when he reached into his pocket and fired several shots from the .38 revolver, striking Dyke and causing his death. The criminal complaint states that the evidence, crime scene processing, and witnesses contradicted this account. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, then seeing Dyke on the ground. Dyke’s body has been taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny for an autopsy.
Lee’s bond has been set at $500,000. A preliminary hearing has been set for Feb. 11 at the Mahaska County Courthouse. The case is still under investigation.
