(Graettinger)—A rural Graettinger woman sustained a head injury in an assault that took place at her home yesterday (Thursday). Authorities say her assailant died a short time later of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to a 911 call at 3818 290th Street southwest of Graettinger shortly before 2:00 p.m. 56-year-old Kolleen Pattison told authorities she had been assaulted by a man in her home. Pattison said she had been hit in the back of the head with a pistol. She managed to get out of the house and got into the suspect’s vehicle. Pattison told deputies she heard a gunshot and saw the man fall as she pulled away. She went to a residence about a mile away for help.
Pattison was taken to the Palo Alto County Hospital by ambulance with head injuries. She was later airlifted to a Mason City hospital.
The alleged assailant, 36-year-old Tracy Thompson of rural Graettinger, was found dead by authorities in Pattison’s home. Thompson’s body was taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
Upon investigating, authorities say they learned Thompson lived down the road from Pattison, and that he had stopped by her residence to ask about hunting on Pattison’s property.
Authorities say a .22 caliber semi automatic pistol was found at the scene along with a spent shell casing. Those items, along with other evidence in Pattison’s residence and in Thompson’s vehicle, have been set to the DCI Crime Lab for analysis.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in its investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
