MASON CITY – There was a fatal stabbing in Mason City early Saturday morning.
Details are still unfolding, but sources tell NIT that at about 3:00 a.m. a 24 year old person was stabbed in the chest.
(PHOTO: Mason City police question people in the area of an altercation that led to the death of one person Saturday morning.)
The incident took at East State Street and Carolina Avenue.
Mason City Police and Fire Department responders were at the scene, and police were still collecting evidence.
Our source says one arrest was made.
A neighbor watching the scene Saturday morning said that he saw pushing and shoving once the police arrived. “Everyone came out of that building,” the man said, pointing to an apartment complex at 602 East State Street. “People wanted to ride in the ambulance, but it left really really fast.” He said police were attempting to calm down the emotional scene.
More details as they are made available. Mason City police were working on releasing information on the incident at 10:00 a.m. SEE MCPD PRESS RELEASE, BELOW.
James Eric Farnsworth II
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
From the MCPD, 10:36 AM:
On 04/14/2012 at approx. 02:55 the Mason City Police Department responded to a report of a stabbing in the 600 block of East State St. upon their arrival they found a male who was later identified as 24 year old Ian Michael Decker of Mason City, on the ground with a serious stab wound. Ian Decker was transported to Mercy Hospital by the Mason City Fire Department where he later passed away.
Officers stopped the suspect within a few minutes of the call on the East side of town.
Mason City Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division , along with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, were called in to investigate. 22 year old James Eric Farnsworth II of Waterloo, Ia was charged with 1st Degree Murder in connection with this stabbing.
Both Ian Decker and James Farnsworth knew each other, and the police department is not looking for any other suspects in connection to this case.
1st Degree murder is a Class “A” Felony¨
The Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs Department along with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisted in the investigation.
My son and James or Jamie as he is called now were good friends back in cedar falls high school. I was shocked to see his picture on the news. I had to call my own son to see if indeed that was him. Jamie was always a good kid. I’m sorry for Ian’s family and the people that love and miss him. I also feel terrible for Jamie’s parents and people that love him. I don’t know yet what happened and as the trial gets underway we will all find out for sure what happened. Its a shame this whole thing had to happen these are just kids who had their whole lives ahead of them. Very sad
Really I feel bad for someone dying and the families affected by this. But only pussies pull weapons when they know that they will never win
Yeah, someone with a serious back injury is a “lethal weapon”. Get real.
I heard this was all over some busted out dumb slut. Remember this you morons, in the great country we live in, you are allowed to defend yourself with whatever means necessary when being threatened. I’m sure all you online judges and lawyers already knew this.
You shouldn’t bring your mother into this conversation. Also it takes a real man to pull a knife in a fist fight? At least we know how big a of a pussy you are.
So you know james was threatened? were you there? You seem to think you know but I know you don’t have a clue what happened. So why don’t you shut up and show some respect for the family of the guy who was killed.
How do some of you know whether James was trying to protect himself? After All, Ian was a “Lethal Weapon”. How do you know for sure which one of them actually started the altercation? Lets say if Ian was the one who threw the first punch and for some reason he thought he needed to use his “Lethal Ability” then in my opinion its only fair that Jame’s defended himself whether it be with his fist’s or a knife. Was Ian registered? He should have been.
What was used, and why, is a moot point. Gun, baseball bat, knife, broken bottle, lead pipe, brick, shovel, tire iron, crowbar, cement shoes, hammer, large rock, spear, or garden shears, does it even matter? The most relevant fact is, a person is dead because of another person’s behavior.
We shall see when all the evidence is weight and a jury has a verdict.
Yes, it does matter.
Not just ONE behavior,BOTH behaviors! They BOTH could of walked away from each other!
FREE THE SNAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!
+1!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m surprised you can speak,talk,see or anything else except shitting yourself in a dark corner. I hope karma is real because then someone you love will get murdered and you can jump right on the net with your free the killer campaign. I’m sure your family will enjoy every post!
Is snaps james nickname? That would be perfect if we still hung people in this state. Snaps neck is snapped! What a headline I cant wait to see his face when they tell him he is guilty and going to spend the rest of his life in jail. My advice to you is start smoking heavily maybe that will shorten your sentence.
what’s that? I’m sorry I dont speak moron?
I really don’t think he was speaking “moron” at all. I not only understood it, but in some respects, agree with most of it.
All he is speaking of is justice for the crime committed. And that is a no-brainer. When this case comes up in court, and is adjudicated, there were be some sad supporters.
Let’s face it, this incident has left a lot of anger and fear in our community. Most people don’t advocate killings, and do not want violence in their neighborhood. Add to it, this was perpetrated by an outsider.
“Snaps” as you call him, will probably not be “freed” unless a jury acquits him. And all the blogging in the world will not change that.
AT:U MAD BRO O.K. one last time because your irresponsible way of thinking does not have me worked up as much as; PUNK FREE SNAPS. your ass friend. I have been in a REAL fight. Actually several… Won every one. WHY YOU ASK? BECAUSE I USED MY FISTS AND KNOCKED WHOM EVER OUT. SEVERAL TIMES… TROLL & INTERNET BULLY. NO. I AM ONE GOSH DARN GOOD LOOKIN’ CHICA. THING YOU NEED TO REMEMBER. RESPECT. NOTHING OF WHAT YOUR KIND BRINGS OUT THESE DAYS. DO YOUR GENERATION A FAVOR; HELP ALL YOU SO CALLED WANNA BE’S…LEARN HOW TO COME OUT WITH NOTHING BUT FISTS..THEN FIGHT IT TO THE END….LOSER.
I never said I was backing anyone nor do I have friends posting, I dont even know who free snaps is. but there is more blame to point @ people other than one person. as it takes 2 to tango or the simple fact everyone wants to fight about dumb crap these days. if you’ve knocked someone out every time you’ve fought it makes it sound like a pretty lob sided fight and if that was the case if the person knew that you knew how to fight and they didn’t there going to do everything in their power to try and beat you even if it happens to be making a mistake and pulling a weapon. just remember kids women can be the root of all evil. if anyone truly knew either of the parties none of them where cold blooded killers. the news likes to twist things to make them sound more interesting and better than they where to get a rise out of people like you see here on this site.
Looks like someone can’t keep a girlfriend and wants to blame his problems on “Evil Women”
For all the people defending this low life piece of trash James, GET REAL! Do you all believe that hitting a woman is okay? Thats what all this stemmed from! Anyone saying that james couldn’t do this, he’s not a cold blooded killer, blah blah blah GUESS WHAT?! HE DID! who’s the one who will be rotting in jail for the rest of his days? JAMES. Who’s the one being put to rest this weekend because he had morals, like NOT HITTING WOMEN!, IAN. You people need to get you’re head out of your asses and realize this wasnt just a little bar fight; a good friend, classmate, and daddy of a precious little girl was MURDERED..
Ian shall you rest in peace buddy, you’re spirit will live on in little C.
you still dont get it do you? you hear one side of the story… people make mistakes in the heat of the moment,which is pretty obvious no one here has been in a REAL fight or altercation this could have all been avoided by calling the (COPS) in the first place, no one just goes and push’s a female around and stabs someone as stated by the only story you’ve heard
Cops were called before ian was just took their time getting there
well then why isn’t there any blame being pointed at them then?
I will wager to say that you have no way of backing up that statement. Do you have the phone records from Dispatch? Activity logs?
Why on earth bother to make a statement like that, when you have no way to substantiate it?
@observer: It is public knowledge all calls are listed. And available just use the internet. On 4/13/12 at 9:04pm or 2104 time they were called to the same area to a complaint of a man with a knife however they couldn’t find him at that time. I’m willing to bet money on it that it was James.
OK so we know that the police had knowledge there was a suspect somewhere in the area with a knife. They looked, and did not find them. Next shift comes on six hours later, and the same suspect assaults someone.
That really has nothing to do with the statement above that: “Cops were called before ian was just took their time getting there…”.
I take this statement as saying that the police were called, and they took their time responding. I rather doubt that was the case.
Friendly warning: Keep the comments clean and do not post threats.
there are valid points on both side of each arguments BUT you dont just go into a fight just carrying a knife to stab some one, James always had a knife on him anytime I saw him and used it while working on cars.
stuff like this doesn’t just happen out of the blue.
the fight started over a stupid female that brought IAN into this situation instead of calling the police Ian tried being the law and the end result lead to his dead, which is indeed sad, but if the police would have been called in the first place non of this would have happened.
as for anyone else that just wants to pop off an the mouth at a man that cant defend himself, maybe you should actually look into the situation first instead of assume you know everything
If you pull a knife on someone you are intending to do severe bodily harm, this man killed someone. Why or who Ian stepped in to defend has no bearing he is dead, period. I carry a knife everyday for farm work, I would never pull it on a human being in an arguement unless I was absolutely fearing for my life. Now a family is missing someone they loved dearly and little girl grows up without a daddy while you morons try to defend someone who lost his right to freedom at the moment he pulled a deadly weapon on an unarmed person. I would guess the stupid little sh*t head pulled the knife to look tough and got in an unlucky shot for both parties now Ian is dead and James gets to rot in a hell of his own creation. I for one wish James a long, healthy life in prison and a long miserable afterlife in a hell he deserves. I bet he thought he was a bad ass when he pulled that knife, I’ll bet he doesn’t feel so tough right now. If James’ friends had a shred of decency they would be raising money to donate to Ian’s daughters college fund instead of trying to free someone who deserves exactly what is coming to him.
Are you f’n kidding your moron. Your really trying to defend that low-life POS. Get “your” facts straight, the police were called, there was a domestic violence call earlier because that soon to be prison sandwich thought it was okay to hit a woman. So, a real man stood up for her and instead of taking his beaten like a man, the little worm F**K uses a knife. No, shut your F’N mouth and go get your facts straight!
So to get this straight…James can hit a girl, but can’t hit a guy? That’s just so messed up in more ways than I can even begin to explain…his mug shot appears like he’s not intoxicated, nor harmed-no bruises, cuts, scrapes…doesn’t even appear remorseful… but the other guy is dead! yes, things can happen in a split second…but most things also come with consequences. Ian suffered his consequence for his role in all of this, now James will have to face his own consequences.
free snaps; are you kidding me. I know neither party; other than using your fists or I’ll bet in you case a “slap” their is absolutly no, none, nadda reason to EVER pull a knife. It takes a guttless B**** to do that shit. I am so pissed at the caca that you have:…..WHATEVER…..enough to even put into a blog. What a heartless piece you must be. AND if your are educated enough to read moron. Try doing a bit of reasearch on that thing called a computer in front of you. and look for facts before opening your pie hole. I think if I went back 35 years and knew who you were, your A** would be licking the ground by now. BUT; NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING
trolls gonna be trolls even OLD internet bully’s lol
Very sad situation. Just glad the MCPD arrested the man responsible for this tragedy !
Watcher
Nothing wrong with carrying a knife but when you stab an unarmed person in the chest it obviously wasn’t for working around the yard! Blaming his parents is no better than the police, schools or city council. Only one person stabbed Ian and that was Farnsworth. If they have other children that are good people does that make them good parents? The prisons are full of people that had good parents and for whatever reason they made bad choices.
Look I known James for several years, is he insensitive, annoying, but a cold blooded killer HELL NO… for those of us who know james we want the Justice such a crime demands, was it per mediated probly not, like the artical says ” there was a fight that broke out” lets not convict James yet, lets all use our adult brains, and reserve judgment till all the facts come out.
Yeah maybe JAMES should have used his “adult brain” before pulling out a knife and taking A LIFE!!!!!
WELL IAN HAD A RAP SHEET ALSO AND HE WAS A KARATE STUDENT FOR YEAR IF A FIGHT BROKE OUT IT COULD BE SELF DEFENSE SINCE IAN HAD SUCH A DANGEROUS SKILL..
WHO DOSENT HAVE SOME SORT OF “RAP SHEET” EVERYONE IS ALLOWED A MISTAKE ONCE IN THERE LIFE BUT THAT DOESNT ALLOW ANY ONE TO PUT ILL WILL TOWARD IAN AND AS FAR AS A KARATE BACKGROUND EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO LEARN TO DEFEND THEMSELFS AND AS FAR AS FANSWORTH THROW THE BOOK AT THIS PUNK WHO COULDNT TAKE WHAT WAS COMING TO HIM LIKE A MAN HAD TO PULL A KNIFE CAUSE HE KNEW IAN WOULD WHOOP HIS A$$
@ FREE SNAPS Guess you are just as dumb as your friend because this is a direct quote from the above article “Details are still unfolding, but sources tell NIT that at about 3:00 a.m. a 24 year old person was stabbed in the chest.” Guessing you are just another one of this POS’s buddies who obviously lacks judgment and smarts just like your buddy who will likely spend the rest of his life in prison!
@free snaps, Are you really that much of an idiot? Ian didn’t have a rap sheet anymore than I bet you do. Speeds, seats belts, and normal teenage things. WOW……… if that’s a rap sheet the whole town is going down. What it comes down to is James stabbing him. Everyone has the desion to make a choice (good or bad) so I don’t give him any credit, he is as guilty as they come.
Theres no need to reserve anything. People are capable of great evil…even if you “know” them. Plain and simple fact is that James stabbed Ian in the chest with his knife. Now justice has to be served. its just stupid that you people are fighting about this. The vw community is doing what they can to help his family. I suggest you people follow suit and look up that information so you cann do the same….so much wasted energy
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN SERVICES WILL BE AND WHERE??
Its in the paper today.
OK im just gonna say ill betcha a million dollars this whole thing wasnt brought on by meth. i feel bad for both families but as for james i know the kid. not well be enough to know this was just a situation that got out of hand and he had a lapse of judgement. it sucks its very difficult for people to understand that jamie wasnt somecold blooded killing machine…he had a terrible miscalculation for a split second im willing to bet.what he did was wrong but you people need to quit making him out to be some kind of monster everyone has there moments even if its the girl you take home from the bar. his lapse was just what he should do to end the fight that the news said happend previously. yes he screwed up dudes bound to know it and if u people wanna lable him as an absolutly horrible person your wrong. he had a horrible moment in his life. im not saying he needs to be let free but let the full story be known before you make your judgements.. im not taking sides this is a tradgedy for the decker family as well and my condolences go out to them whole heartedly.
Are you freaking kidding me?!?! A lapse in judgement for a split second!?!? He was carring a knife on himself for a reason and went for the chest of this young man. Now I dont know either of the parties involved but this is more than a lapse he had a knife on him for a reason and he chose to plunge it into someone else’s chest taking away a father, son, and friend to many. There is premediation there! I can only hope that you JOE BOB are not from MC and you keep your stupidity where you are!
I carry a knife on me regularly… I learned to do so from my grandfather. It comes in handy in the garage and working around the yard. Does that make me a future criminal? If someone attacks me or my family with the intent to do harm, I will protect myself. Funny thing is, no one realizes I carry it. I guess if you keep your nose clean and out of places it shouldn’t be, you have very little to worry about.
I totally agree watcher……..my father always had a knife on him as well generally used it for scratching tickets but if there was an argument or a fight of some kind that brought this young man here and he came with a knife then he had intent.
How do you know it was in the chest? No one realesed that info? Are u saying u were a witness?
Yep, it’s public knowledge it was in the chest. I heard it too. Radio I believe…
Having anyone that you love or even know for that matter TAKEN from you is an injustice. Regardless of what kind of person Jamie REALLY is, Jamie hurt us. Jamie hurt Ian’s family. Jamie hurt Ian’s daughter. Jamie hurt Ian’s daughter’s mother. Jamie hurt Ian’s friends. Jamie hurt all the people that cared about Ian. And this is something that CAN NEVER be taken back or corrected. Jamie’s ONE HORRIBLE MOMENT was the worst moment in the lives of everyone who loved Ian. Maybe Jamie isn’t a monster, but the act of killing someone is monsterous in itself. I wish Jamie wasn’t the type to do something like this to the extent that it never would have happened and how we wish it never happened, but this mistake cost someone’s life. There is very little a person could actually do to deserve murder or to be harmed with a weapon of some sort. Ian lost his freedom to love, live, and see his daughter grow on that day. Jamie may also lose his freedom. But the fact is only ONE of them had a choice in the matter. Fighting is immature. Murder is unforgiveable.
Everyone, The photo is of James, I happen to know both men involved. James a little better than Ian.
Try not to convict him already, I for one do not know what happened and was shocked upon hearing the whole tragic news story.
I can not see Jamesdoing this but if he did than may he get what is coming to him.
My heart goes out to the families of all involved.
The least the Mayor could have said was, “This is a terrible tragedy that has struck our fine city. We pray for the families involved.” End of story. Sad that he couldn’t have at least done that much.
I wondered how long it would take some of you to drag the mayor in to this. Just because the mayor “did not immediately return our request” does not mean that he doesn’t care.
As the highest ranking official in Mason City, it would be appropriate to seek comment from him. They did it to Mayor Daley all the time during his reign. But he had a press secretary in later years, to deflect unpleasantness. But da Boss always had a way with words.
Mason City has become the hairy wart on an ass because when all the little situations that started happening …let me see about around 3 years ago; instead of taking care of business; the “situations” were not handled properly. the “establishment” choose to look away and to this day still arrest the same locals and not handle business as it should be done.
What “situations”, and what establishment?
They are probably referring to the “Situation” of the former fired police officer and her brother in law preacher “Situation”.
You know the whole big cover-up by MCPD, DCI and FBI.
Blame the establishments, blame the council, blame the police, blame the schools… heaven forbid we blame the parents that raise these criminals.
How can you draw that conclusion that is what TRUTH is tALking about? Maybe they were mugged three years ago. Also, if you were living on a hairy ass for three years wouldn’t you just move to a better part of the ass?
@ “@watcher” Jeesh, chill, it just seems to come up every other time people start bashing the MCPD for crimes that happen. Heaven forbid the person stops vague-blogging and gets to their supposed TRUTH and says what they mean. Defensive lately…
Unlike in Florida, it did not take weeks to arrest a murderer. Good Job! How can someone stab, kill another person? 2 young lives wasted.
Rip ian u will b missed deeply
Although this is a terrible incident, having one stabbing a year is not alot of crime in the modern times. Have you ever watched the Rochester news ?
If it was only once it wouldn’t be so bad. Theres been more than that in the past year – and thats with leaving out shootings.
I fully expect the same Minnesota media to be down here with the cameras and blue tent for this news story as well as others they’ve covered.
GOOD JOB MASON CITY PD ON THE CAPTURE ON THE PERSON HOW DID THIS VERY THING
Whoa! dyslexia of the typin phalanges?
Hey, Whats your real name?
You know what my point was. You know my name… So whats yours?
no we dont… what is it dave?
People need to understand that hate and crime is everywhere. Not soley in Mason City, Iowa. Stop with your selfish judgments and pray for the family and friends of those who are truly hurting from this mornings events.
Not far from the mayors house, now maybe we can do something about the growing crime in this town
NIT asked Mayor Bookmeyer for a statement or reaction on this incident. He did not immediately return our request.
only met u once Ian … a few weeks ago when u were dating my aunt … u seemed like a really nice person!!!!!!
Ian Decker will always be missed, I met him once when he was dating my aunt just a few weeks back and he was a really nice person. RIP Ian Decker
Let’s not focus on locations or what crimes casinos or various establishments can bring to mc. Let’s more focus on the crime at hand someone getting stabbed which isn’t worth whatever the situation was over this James dude is clearly a piece of work good luck in prison buddy you’ll need it hope karma makes a full circle.
the picture is of James Farnsworth
Great job to MCPD, DCI, & CGSO for quickly getting the suspect off the streets.
Indeed. My hat is off to them.
Somebody please………is the photo of the victim (historical),or suspect (mugshot). Or maybe just a photo of some guy asking directions to the foot-bridge?
🙂
the picture of the man is the suspect. deffinitely not the victem
Dufus<<< hmmmmm I bet the picture is the suspect!
People are people, no matter where you live. We all need to a better job of taking care of each other. Grow up. Get over it. It’s not just a Mason City or Greene or Forest City or Osage or any other Iowa city problem. What a terrible tragidy for the families involved. A young man is dead and another will be in prison. A mother and child will be without a father. Our heart and prayers go out to all affected by this.
Mason City is a small town with just as much crime as the big cities, but no jobs or opportunities.
What’s really funny, is that everyone was worried about the crime the casino would bring to town. I don’t hear of this happening at the casino, yet it still happens in this town.
I can see why people are leaving and moving out of this town. THere is nothing here for jobs or entertainment, but there’s more than enough crime.
What is happening to Mason City? I used to be proud to call it my home town. Now its always stabbings, shootings
and vandalism. WTH?
METH
Domestic…Boyfriend/ex boyfriend