ESTHERVILLE, IOWA – Early Sunday morning, Estherville Police were contacted by a family member that a subject was in a residence at 1020 North 6th Street and had intended to harm himself. At 1:51 AM, officers responded to the area following the report that Lewis Zufall, age 19, had a firearm in his possession and intended to use it.
Responding officers approached the residence and secured the area around the house. Officers verified with family members that Zufall was alone in the house. Avera McKennan Holy Family Hospital was advised of a potential threat in the area due to the close proximity to the hospital. The HEAT Tactical Team was contacted and put on alert.
Shortly after the arrival of responding officers, Zufall emerged from the residence and fired a single gunshot. The gunshot was not directed toward the officers or any persons. Officers then observed a vehicle leaving the residence and believed that Zufall was the driver of the car. Officers approached the vehicle on North 9th Street as it traveled Southbound and turned West on 1st Avenue North. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle at the intersection of 1st Avenue North and North 7th Street by Estherville Police Officers and Emmet County Sheriff’s Deputies, where Lewis Zufall was taken into custody without incident.
During the traffic stop, officers were dispatched to a commercial burglary alarm at Estherville Technologies. Officers responded to that location and found an open door to the business. Officers were able to clear the building and release it to the owners, after determining that no entry had been made to the business.
Zufall was taken to Avera McKennan Holy Family Hospital for a mental health evaluation. Zufall was charged with Operating While Intoxicated, Discharging a Weapon in the City Limits, and Carrying a Dangerous Weapon, all charges are misdemeanors.
The Estherville Police Department was assisted by the Emmet County Sheriff’s Department.
