An arrest has been made in an Ottumwa murder that occurred earlier this month.
On October 16th, 2023, Ottumwa Police Department Officers were dispatched to 301 S Ward Street at approximately 10:46pm on a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, they found an injured male outside the home, who was identified as Samuel Gallegos-Ramirez, 34, of Ottumwa. He was transported to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center and pronounced deceased. 
No charges had been filed at that time, but the police were able to reassure the public that there was no ongoing threat to the community. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Ottumwa Police Department began an investigation at that time to find the suspect.
Gary Lewis Scott, 60, of Ottumwa, was arrested on October 26th, at approximately 11:12am and charged with multiple crimes. Murder in the 1st Degree, a Class “A” felony, Willful Injury, Class “C”, Assault While Participating in a Felony, a Class “C” Felony, and Going Armed with Intent, a Class “D” Felony.
Preliminary information at the scene of the incident was not enough to immediately identify all of the circumstances that led to the death of the victim. Eventually, after a thorough investigation, it was found that an altercation had broken out between the victim and the suspect, which resulted in the filing of criminal charges.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.