In the small community of Waukon, Iowa, the afternoon of April 16, 2018, was shattered by a violent act that would end the life of 60-year-old Dean Elliot Russell. A White / Caucasian male, Russell was fatally shot in the trailer home he shared with his stepson. The incident unfolded at their residence in the Parkview Trailer Court, setting in motion the first murder investigation in the town in nearly four decades.
The initial report to the Allamakee County Dispatch Center came from the
stepson, 32-year-old John Michael Quanrude, who claimed he had accidentally shot his friend in the shoulder and chest area. When law enforcement arrived, Quanrude met them outside and led them into the home. He initially gave the victim's name as "Nate," but later admitted it was his stepfather. His account of the shooting was inconsistent, at one point stating he fired a "warning shot" because Russell was "messing with" him. Russell was rushed to Veterans Memorial Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
As the investigation progressed, a clearer picture of the events leading to the shooting emerged. Quanrude had reportedly obtained the shotgun from a relative the night before, expressing fear that someone was trying to harm him and Russell. After being taken to the police station for questioning, Quanrude attempted to flee custody. Within 24 hours of the shooting, he was charged with second-degree murder. The investigation, a joint effort by the Waukon Police Department, the Allamakee County Sheriff's Department, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, found no evidence of a forced entry into the bedroom where the shooting occurred.
In September 2018, a jury found John Michael Quanrude guilty of second-degree murder after deliberating for just one hour. During the trial, it was argued that while Quanrude did shoot and kill Russell, the act lacked the "malice aforethought" required for a more severe charge. Quanrude did not testify in his own defense. In October 2018, he was sentenced to a maximum of 50 years in prison, with the requirement to serve at least 35 years before being eligible for parole. He was also ordered to pay restitution to Russell's family. During the sentencing, members of Russell's family gave victim impact statements, describing him as a kind and gentle man. Quanrude also addressed the family, expressing his sorrow for the events that transpired.
