Investigation Underway Following Fatal Shooting death of 19-Year-Old in Taylor County, Iowa

TAYLOR COUNTY, IA – Authorities are investigating the tragic shooting of a 19-year-old man that occurred early Thursday morning in Taylor County. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations reported that Taylor County dispatchers received several gunshot reports at around 3:20 a.m. Deputies were promptly dispatched to Bootleggers Bar and Grill on Broadway Street in Clearfield, where they discovered an unresponsive male victim on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head.

Upon arrival, the reporting deputy observed a man standing near the victim’s body against an SUV. The man, identified as the suspect, confessed to being the shooter, leading to his immediate detention and transfer to the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office. Witnesses at the scene confirmed that they saw the suspect shoot and kill the victim. The suspect, Alan Schultz, 37, from Bedford, also admitted to a DCI agent that he was responsible for the death of 19-year-old Colby Nelson from Lenox.

According to reports, Schultz and Nelson had a prior disagreement at the bar, which escalated into a heated argument as Schultz attempted to leave. Initially, Schultz left the bar on his motorcycle but later returned in a different vehicle, armed with a loaded handgun. He confronted Nelson twice before fatally shooting him in the face. After the shooting, Schultz unloaded his handgun and waited for law enforcement to arrive.

Schultz has been placed in custody at the Taylor County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder. A forensic autopsy on Nelson’s body will be conducted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny to determine the exact cause of death.

This incident has sent shockwaves through the Clearfield community, as residents grapple with the tragic loss of a young life. Colby Nelson, remembered by friends and family as a bright and kind-hearted individual, had his life cut short in a senseless act of violence.

Local authorities and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations are working diligently to piece together the events that led to the shooting. The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement officers gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to ensure a thorough understanding of the circumstances.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward to aid in the investigation. As the community mourns the loss of Colby Nelson, local leaders emphasize the importance of unity and support for those affected by this tragedy.

The Clearfield community has rallied together, organizing vigils and memorials to honor Nelson’s memory. The impact of this tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of violence. Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues and more details emerge.

In the meantime, the thoughts and prayers of the community remain with Colby Nelson’s family and friends as they navigate through this difficult time.