UPDATED: Two dead in double homicide in Mason City today
MASON CITY – Two people are dead and a man is in custody after a double homicide Thursday morning in Mason City.

1620 N. HAMPSHIRE AVE. MASON CITY
This morning at 2:15 AM, Mason City police officers were called to 1620 North Hampshire Ave, Mason City, to investigate a report of a shooting. Cerro Gordo County deputies and the Mason City Fire Department also responded. Police found Melinda Kavars and Caleb Christensen deceased inside the residence. Christensen is listed as the owner of the house.
A suspect, 30-year-old Peter Veal of Lake Mills, Iowa, was arrested this morning at approx 2:30 AM after a brief foot pursuit near 12th Street NE and North Carolina Ave. Veal has been charged with 2 counts of 1st Degree Murder and is currently being held in the Cerro Gordo County jail.
The Iowa DCI is assisting the Mason City Police Department with the homicide investigation. Autopsies will be performed at the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office.
No further details are being released at this time.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Mason City Police Department at 641-421-3636.

Veal, Peter Leroy
Sad but true Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 2:41 pm
good defense, its everbody elses fault
gahlot123 Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 2:30 pm
Ya’ll mother f*ckers need Jesus!!
Allen Report comment
November 19, 2016 at 12:18 am
Just wondering, what kind of a person would use words like that in the same sentence as Jesus.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 12:36 pm
First-degree murder is defined as an unlawful killing that is both willful and premeditated. Am I missing the boat here, or is this not what happened. Did this POS not go to house and shoot a 54 year old woman at 2am in the morning? A 54 year old woman is no competition, no threat, and not sure if she would even be strong enough to defend herself against a 30 year old, beefed up thug, high on drugs with a gun. You can slice this a million ways, but this POS willfully shot and killed a 54 year old woman and a 38 year old man-PLAIN AND SIMPLE. And in the past year, if you haven’t read about all the crime thats going on in this community. I can’t believe that somebody other than a harmless 54 year old woman has not been murdered. You people better start paying more attention to your surrounding environment and realize that shit is getting real in this town and you better start looking out your windows and doors and doing your part to protect your neighbor, friends, and family. Or your gonna see more people that live right in your neighborhoods ending up just like these 2 did. Because drugs and violence are rampant in this town, and its because a lot of residents are turning a blind eye to it, not calling the cops about what they see. And therefore a lot of it is going unnoticed and running under the radar. Obviously Veal is a career criminal in this community, and a lot of his family and friends just let his career get the gold star of Murder on his resume. WHAT A POS
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Amen! Very well put!
Tax Payer Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 9:18 am
Peter Leroy Veal is anther example of ‘mamma’s welfare ticket’ gone bad. Across this nation, this seems to be the norm for ‘mamma’s welfare tickets’….they grow up and realize they are an unloved, unwanted ‘welfare ticket’ and turn on society ! Prisons are filled with these kind of men & women, babies used for the sole purpose of collecting welfare benefits.
Too bad PLV didn’t turn the gun on himself and save the tax payer $$$$$$$$$ !
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 11:59 pm
Hate created the misguided action so how can hate solve it, in my view you raise some probable valid points, also in my view love is the only answer to these problems, in scripture Christ said this about the poor http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Helping-the-Poor/, I am standing with Christ.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 8:41 am
This would have been a better choice, https://youtu.be/mxPgplMujzQ.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 8:00 am
Meanwhile Obam and whatever are over in Greece doing like the Greeks – US supported leaders/famine to follow – BTW – while your demoratic president was trying to save the greeks – President Elect DONALD TRUMP talked to BILL FORD you know Ford Motor company? Guess what ? The Ford plant in KENTUCKY that was scheduled to move to MEXICO — WILL NOT BE MOVING TO MEXICO and will stay open in Kentucky – HELL TRUMPS HAS NOT BOOTED obammer out the whitehouse door and he’s already SAVING AMERICA! You demoratic crooks are in for a brutal well earned beating. Feel sorry for the people in this article – but you and I BOTH know these drugs are coming in from our open border with mexico. Do something or go back to your demoratic safe space.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 8:34 am
WTF does ANY of that have to with this story? Go to Mercy, say that crap out loud in conversation with a staff member so you can get a well deserved shot in the ass and a relaxing ride up to 5east
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 8:40 am
It was never moving.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 1:57 pm
Trump takes credit for everything. All he does is build useless buildings. Why does he not build factories and manufacture something.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 2:08 pm
By his own account he builds buildings and grabs pussy.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 6:42 am
we can guide our children but we can not control their actions we just hope that what we teach them they will use later on in life. When drugs get involved it is a different story they are just a shell that drugs have ahold of they no longer care about anything but getting more drugs- it has nothing to do with parenting- Pete’s family knew he needed help they tried but the state wouldn’t help they were turned away. Addiction is a sad thing and I think we all need to stop and remember how hard an addiction is to control and we also need to remember those that lost their lives Thursday Morning
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 6:57 am
you are right our system fails us when it comes to getting help for addiction until something bad happens.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 8:23 am
Use of drugs is self induced. Do not try to blame the rest of us for your poor decisions. It is bad enough we have to support the brain dead druggers for life after they end up in jail. People know right from wrong. When the choose wrong it is a “CHOICE”.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 9:09 am
Amen brother, testify.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 10:21 am
Peter chose to do drugs not his parents so why blame them?
Anonymous
November 18, 2016 at 11:02 am
maybe she should have swallowed instead
Jj Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 6:25 am
You all should show some respect for the families and the dead. Your parents should of taught you manners and the word respect. You already assume he’s guilty, nobody’s heard any of the circumstances or evidence yet. Show some respect.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 2:04 am
Sounds like lisa needs 2 get a life!! U got murders 2013 how many shooting boring ass lame??
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 7:45 pm
Mason city police finally caught someone, normally that can’t catch a parked car.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 7:43 pm
No words can describe the mental incapababilities of “these” people. No sense of cause and effect or right or wrong. Just plain dumb. The Great Ron White- ” YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID”. Enough said
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 7:01 pm
this shouldn’t happen anywhere
L. Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 6:15 pm
This is ridiculous. So you all realize that the family can see your comments and your only making the situation worse? Idc if you like them or not, but there is no need for name calling and degrading people. Keep your blatantly mean and disrespectful comments to yourself. Yes, this is a terrible thing but DO NOT DISRESPECT AN ENTIRE FAMILY BASED WHAT YOU SEE ONLINE. You have no room to talk, hiding behind your keyboards. Pathetic. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families on both sides of this horrible incident. For everyone disrespecting the family, it was one persons actions, not the whole family. Remember that. Think before you go around being hurtful with your words and just talking out your ass.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 6:34 pm
Post of the night. Thank you L.
Reality Check Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 7:08 pm
L…….Thank you for your thoughtful post. Welcome to NIT Land. It’s this way with most stories. What a shame that this site has become a Neanderthal circle jerk.
Lisa in Northern Iowa Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 9:16 pm
I’m just curious.. you say those disrespecting “the family” whose family do you mean? The poor families of the 2 who lost their lives.. or the family of one convicted murderer at the age of 14 and her now murderer brother? I sure hope the first and not the Veal Killers!
Lisa in Northern Iowa Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 9:40 pm
Reading again, I realize you are referencing the Veal family! Shame on YOU!! in total the Veal family has now claimed 3 innocent lives! It’s unfortunate that this so called family reading these posts as you claim weren’t there where they should have been. Instead raised KILLERS!! Truth!!
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 8:20 am
You don’t like it? That is tough shit. This “family” has brought it on themselves by being trash and staying trash. Don’t feel sorry for them, feel sorry for the family’s of the people he killed.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 9:08 am
Here here, true story, legit!
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 5:58 pm
The arrogant look on his face in the picture reassures us that we won’t have to support him…he’ll get himself killed
Allen Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 5:01 pm
Sadly, violence is the only answer for some people. And now, since Iowa doesn’t have the death penalty, the hard working, law abiding tax payers will have to support this murderer for the rest of his life, if convicted.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 7:51 pm
Unfortunately, capital punishment is drawn out and expensive for the taxpayer as well. Upon conviction, the best taxpayers can hope for is “jailhouse justice”. His sister has been costing Iowa money for over 20 years now.
Allen Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 8:20 pm
You are right about the cost, either way, the tax payers never catch a break.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Tanya Veal is in the county jail right now for drugs and drug smuggling. A family reunion out there.
Nickee Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 4:26 pm
Stay classy Mason City. Shitty place,shitty culture. Always
the real fred Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 8:28 am
The killer was from Lake Mills.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 9:26 am
He was probably just getting free housing up there. He is an Mason City native.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 4:26 pm
Three idiots gone!! A good start for cleaning up Mason Shitty!!
L. Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 6:20 pm
I don’t care who you are or if you knew/know any of them, but it is not your place to say anything like that in a situation like this. That is an absolutely horrible thing to say or even hint that you are ok with this. Completely heartless
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 3:49 pm
white lives matter. ………
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 3:48 pm
another sack of shit off the streets for good…..
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 2:28 pm
Too bad the cops didn’t blow this scum away, we need the death penalty back for scum like this
1 4 victory Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 1:59 pm
The f**ken truth hurts and when yo wise ass gets capped too you can join the trash also, aint no black and white smack talk bitch its just plain o trash and rotten flesh.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 2:46 pm
Says the keyboard gansta, or is it wanksta?
Dick Neely Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 4:48 pm
I know correct spelling, grammar and punctuation are quite contradictory to “Ebonics”, but proper sentence structure would help you greatly with relaying your message to those who read it.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 4:55 pm
Dick neeley your a bitch. Straight up punk…
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 5:59 pm
*you’re
Dick Neely Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 12:37 pm
The Veals and the Flores, producing generation after generation of criminals in Mason City. Ruthanne Veal is still doing life. Search the name, they are on NIT frequently.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 1:41 pm
Stfu…talking shit like a bitch…your punk ass don’t drag down a while family or talk crazy pussy
the real fred Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Oooooh, a gangsta’. How intimidating.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 1:56 pm
this comment doesn’t make any sense. Dummy
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 2:44 pm
I cant even comprehend or translate this comment. Seams your brain has failed you.
DeAnne Rinnels Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 6:24 pm
I agree Mr Neely. It just passes on from one generation to the next. It’s sickening.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 8:41 pm
And the other half just keep popping out babies for dhs to take.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 6:30 pm
Don’t lump all the Flores’s in the bad category. A great deal of the Flores families in Mason City are hard working, educated, tax paying citizens.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 11:24 am
TNB
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 11:05 am
That’s why blacks get no respect from whites. Perfect example by what the first person said
1 4 victory Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 10:58 am
This is a wake up call for all you white people wanting to get high and banged by the black man. when u owe them or betray them this might be your ticket to heaven. Pay now or pay later!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 1:20 pm
About had enough of your black crap. It is about time to open a can of Whup Ass.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 9:56 am
Another senseless murder committed by a veal. When will this family understand shit rolls down hill. When your parents are shitty, and entitled to do what they want, they create monsters.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 1:37 pm
Stfu. Bitch ass mf. Talk shit behind and anonymous name your a coward
Dueces Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 3:09 pm
Yo dog and wtf was your name on your post? Don’t buck up and act like you all tough and shit cuz we dont play that game here homie. ESFOD
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 3:24 pm
Ha!Gangsta put your name on here or are you wanted.Talk about keyboard gangsta.Grow up while you still can
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 8:46 pm
Looks like I proved my point.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 8:48 pm
You’re *
Lisa in Northern Iowa Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 9:06 pm
Anonymous replying to Anonymous.. Bravo!!
Vee Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 2:29 am
Funny, is your nose clean & closet skeleton free? Are you so called “perfect”? No, not a single person is. But for you to anonymously talk trash on the parents, you’re a real winner there. His parents are quite good parents.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 5:10 am
What the hell do you consider BAD parents?
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 7:21 am
I believe you about them being good parents. I don’t know how many kids they have, but so far only two of them have been charged with murder. But yes, I’m sure they imposed strong family values and honesty onto their children.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 8:20 am
One that hasn’t committed murder yet has been violent… and as far as instilling honesty does that mean that video on the Glob is real mental illness?
I got the feeling he was turning on the crazy to get off
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 8:30 am
WTF does any of that shit have to do with THIS?
You need a shot in the ass and a trip to 5E
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 2:53 pm
ONLY two?!?! I would call that a failure to raise stable human beings.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 9:53 am
Damn pork plant still haunts us – probably forever!
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 9:46 am
OMG I used to work with Caleb at Taco John’s awhile back and I’m best friends with his baby mama. Senseless and sad tragedy thanks to Peter Veal…
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 9:45 am
Always pay your drug dealer…..
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 9:11 am
Well thank god they captured this animal.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 9:08 am
Could be wrong but was he vetted ? Sad were importing these sacks of shit.
Anonymous Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 9:38 am
I believe he may be related to the notorious Veal family in Mason City so he would be an Iowa born & bred sack of shit
Sad but true Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 8:43 am
How many shootings or murders in Mason City this year?
May be a new record?
Lisa in Northern Iowa Report comment
November 17, 2016 at 9:04 pm
0 murders since 2013.
Anonymous Report comment
November 18, 2016 at 2:06 am
See above comment Lisa in northern Iowa somehow went 2 top