MUSCATINE COUNTY, Iowa — A Minnesota man wanted in connection with a double homicide was arrested Sunday evening in southeastern Iowa after a high-speed chase that crossed three counties.
Authorities identified the suspect as Randy Zimmerman, 45, of rural Courtland, Minnesota. He is accused of fatally shooting a 50-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman early Sunday morning in Hanska, Minnesota, about 30 miles west of Mankato.
According to the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 4:22 a.m. when a boy called 911, reporting that his mother’s former boyfriend had broken into their home and shot his mom.
Following the shooting, Zimmerman fled Minnesota. By late afternoon, he was spotted in Washington County, Iowa, where deputies began pursuing him. The chase continued through Louisa County and into Muscatine County, according to Louisa County Sheriff Brandon Marquardt.
“When they started to try to pull him over — even before that — he took off at a high rate of speed,” Marquardt said. “A chase ended up here, where our deputy ended up pitting the individual. He did get out on foot through the field here. He was taken into custody.”
Marquardt confirmed that Zimmerman fired at a Louisa County deputy during the pursuit but missed. “It was our squad and our canine deputy who ended up hitting him to get him stopped out here,” he said. “Thankfully, no one was injured.”
Zimmerman was taken into custody around 4:12 p.m. near Letts, Iowa, approximately 340 miles southeast of Hanska. Multiple sheriff’s vehicles were spotted near the intersection of 255th Street and Emmert Avenue in Muscatine County around 6 p.m.
Zimmerman is currently being held in the Louisa County Jail, and Minnesota authorities are expected to travel to Iowa for questioning. Sheriff Marquardt said Zimmerman will likely be extradited back to Minnesota, and Iowa counties involved in the chase may also file additional charges.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims. The case remains under investigation.