OSAGE – Details are still emerging on a shooting that took place Saturday in Osage.
Sources say a woman, Gretchen Crooks, who was a nursing supervisor at Mercy Hospital, was allegedly shot by a known person for unknown reasons.
Gretchen was a 1992 graduate of Mason City High School.
NIT will continue to report on this incident as details are released.
The Glob is now reporting that sexual assault or abuse charges have been filed against the boy today.
Can NIT shed any light on this?
NIT will not be writing about the child at all, nor will we publish any photo of him.
Now that more details of this is coming out where are this kids defenders now? This little evil brat needs to be locked up from society for good!
Question is why did he Shoot Her?? What was going on in a 13 year olds life? That he had to Shoot his own Mother!
I ended up at this page because I am a mother of an 8th grader that lives in Osage and I googled a name. I am sad at the comments on here that you would debate these things on this story. Let’s remember that people need our prayers now not hate.
I think that is absolutely horrific and a major tragedy. My heart goes out to the family and friends, as well as others in the community. However, for you people to be arguing about who said what and pointing fingers because someone said something blah blah is pathetic. News is news and even though the internet makes information more easily accessible to people, there will always be speculation from people on what happened before its released. Who cares about that? You’re talking about respect for those involved but wasting your time arguing on the internet isn’t any better. Grow up. This is a seriously horrible thing to have happened and I think all of you could probably benefit from spending time with your own families instead of bashing a website for a news story. You yourselves came here to find out what they said in regards to the topic, as did I.
How sad for the 13 year old son to shoot & kill his mother. What in the hell has happened to this world anyway? WAY TOO MUCH VIOLENCE ON TV & IN THE MOVIES !
Nowhere in his article does Matt say it was a 13-year old or the woman’s son.
@Katie: No NIT.COM ( Matt )does not give details. The details were made available by neighbors & family. Very sad tragic story. Yes… do give your kids a giant hug today and your significant other as well!
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Gretchen. As for the rest of that are using this comment space as a forum to argue about “faux news”, and whatever other gripes you have, you should be ashamed of yourself! A human being is gone. She was a mother, wife, daughter and friend. For her loved ones to see this is an absolute travesty. Grow up, show some respect and get a life.
I think you meant “tragedy” not “travesty” :/
I cannot believe people are using this format to complain about a news outlet. This is a tragic event, where someone´s family member, friend, & coworker has lost their life. Voice your complaints some place else. Show some respect for the victim.
Saturday was TWO DAYS AGO who cares.
This is enough for this site. Why not move your negative comments to the Whiner’s Den?
I would certainly hate to find out a relative of mine died by reading it here first. The Police Dept. has not released the name and KIMT is following suit.
I don’t think we need to know BEFORE the relatives find out. JMHO.
Didn’t the TV just show the house? Everyone in Osage knows who lives there.
Wow, a tragic murder not on the north side of Mason City! Very sad for Ms. Crooks & her family, the city of Osage, & Mercy Hospital. VERY SAD
Someone has be first to gave out the information. If Matt did not have the permission from the police then I believe he was wrong. For all you NIT haters you are going to have to realize that NIT is a newspaper that is read by 1,000’s (including you) I don’t understand people bashing NIT and how the hate it but they read it hmmmmm interesting. If KIMT or Globe put this information out first why would it be different? Anyway I’m getting off subject. I am sorry for the family and will keep them in my prayers.
I am praying for you – all of you involved in this or hurting over what happened – I am so incredibly sorry.
^I agree. Enough banter about whether this should or should not have been published…Gretchen was well-known, MUCH loved, & will be sadly missed. Sincere condolences. 🙁
To all you complainers” “ITS A FREAKIN NEWS SITE” get over it!
No, it’s not a “freakin’ news site.” It’s a gossip mill run by a thin-skinned Faux news wannabe with a chip on his shoulder.
I would rather be called that then bankrupt.
You keep coming back dont you? NIT reports fact, and truth if you cant handle that then this site is not for you!
Sure as hell beats the Globe Gazette… that is way too biased reporting!!!!!!!!!!!! Go NIT.COM !
I really wish people would NOT put things on Facebook about people who have passed away. It’s disrespectful. It’s one thing to have it on a news website, but not social sites.
Exactly NIT does not have this on Facebook, but The Globe and KIMT both do.
With all of the tweets and Facebook connections today anybody that knew this person already knew that something had happened. No need to gripe about a website doing their job. Since I do not know the story or the persons involved I will save my sympathies until I know who needs them.
Show some respect for this family and don’t publish the name until it has been released by the authorities. Also, don’t speculate in what happened unless someone has been charged.
@Respect, I agree this person and all victims of violence deserve the utmost respect. I felt this warranted some type of information to the public, as I was literally stopped while shopping today and asked when NIT would have the story on this incident. The person knew the name and many more details that I did not publish. I got to my office, there were more messages about it. As I investigated, the information is all over the internet. The internet has changed the way information is released and the speed that it happens, we all have to deal with that.
You reported on something someone told you at the store and stuff you ‘investigated’ on Facebook? You are reporting rumor. Your desire to break the news isnt based on the public’s need to know. It’s based on your desire to break the story. This isn’t an issue of public safety. It’s an issue of your own vanity. The police decide when the name is released. Not somebody on Facebook. Not somebody pretending to be a journalist.
When did I mention Facebook? Credible persons told me what happened, and it was confirmed. Please keep your anger out of your reasoning.
And we ALL know that 100 percent of what is on the Net is true. Really? Why don’t you say what you’re really doing: Trying to get it out there before anyone else, no matter who it hurts. It doesn’t matter if its on a news site before everyone in a family knows, or on social media. It still hurts the same. I agree with “Respect.”
quit ur bitching!!!!! This is the #1 news site, for north iowa!!
Yeah! If you like the kind of news site that has no respect for the tragedy and pain people are feeling. People shouldn’t be speculating on what happened until someone has been charged. I’m not saying they won’t be. It’s just none of their damn business until they are. For a ‘news’ site to report on Facebook rumors is irresponsible. Even if they turn out to be true. It’s the sign of a weak man who rather be first than respectful.
Where does it say anything about that is speculation gives her name, she was shot, and where she worked. You yourself said “People shouldn’t be speculating on what happened until someone has been charged. I’m not saying they won’t be. ” That is saying she was shot by another person which is not stated in the article. You also hint to somebody being arrested hinting to murder which is also not stated in the article. Why do I get the feeling your friends or family of the person who may or may not be charged?
um…..no, it’s not
umm hello, its NEWS im pretty sure a mom getting shot hit other media outlets in the area, all of which listen to the police scanners as do many citizens in North Iowa also pretty sure that a 10-71 would peak anybodys curiosity.. so whatever.. why dont you physically go to the supermarket and get mad at those who specalate instead of trolling on the INTERNET…