On a summer evening in Bettendorf, Iowa, the life of Brittany M. Wilson, a 28-year-old White female, was tragically cut short. On August 17, 2019, while working as a clerk at the Big 10 Mart, she was fatally shot during what police described as a random and senseless act of violence. Customers entering the convenience store around 5:40 p.m. discovered Wilson on the floor with a gunshot wound and immediately called for help.
Despite their efforts, she succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
The investigation into her death quickly identified a suspect, 21-year-old Manuel Rangel of Genoa, Illinois. Authorities revealed that Rangel's visit to Bettendorf was brief and seemingly random. Earlier on the day of the murder, Rangel had forcibly taken his dog from a kennel in his hometown. He then drove to Bettendorf, entered the Big 10 Mart, and shot Wilson. The motive for this violent act remains unclear, though police noted Rangel had been described by his family as suicidal and depressed in the months leading up to the incident.
The day after the shooting, Rangel's brother, concerned for his well-being, reported him as missing and suicidal to law enforcement. He also informed them that Rangel was driving their mother's car and was in Nebraska. Nebraska State Patrol located the vehicle and a short pursuit ensued. The chase came to an end after the vehicle was disabled remotely. As officers approached the car, they discovered that Manuel Rangel had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Bettendorf Police Chief stated that Brittany Wilson was a total innocent bystander in the tragic events that unfolded.
