FORT DODGE — A Northern Iowa death investigation that began with a report of a possible gunshot victim outside a burning Fort Dodge apartment building has taken a different turn, as authorities now say the man died from a fall from a third-story window.
Fort Dodge police said the man has been identified as 49-year-old Shawn L. Gully of Fort Dodge.
The incident was reported at about 12:18 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, when the Webster County Telecommunications Center received a call that a man was lying on the sidewalk at 1035 1st Avenue South and appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound.
Fort Dodge police and fire units responded and found an unresponsive man on the sidewalk in front of the residence. Fort Dodge Fire personnel provided medical aid, but the man was pronounced dead by the Webster County Medical Examiner.
While officers were investigating outside the building, they noticed smoke coming from an upstairs apartment. Police entered the apartment and found an active fire. Additional Fort Dodge Fire personnel were called to the scene and quickly brought the fire under control.
Police said the fire was contained to apartment 3W. Investigators initially believed the man had fallen from a third-story window of the apartment where the fire was burning.
In an update released March 26, police said the State Medical Examiner found no evidence of a gunshot wound. Authorities said Gully’s cause of death was the result of a fall from the third-story window.
The case remains under investigation. Fort Dodge police said investigators are continuing to gather information about what happened, and the cause of the fire remains under review. The State Fire Marshal was expected to assist Fort Dodge police and fire officials with the investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Fort Dodge Police Department. Information may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Fort Dodge police were assisted by the Fort Dodge Fire Department, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, the Webster County Medical Examiner and the State Fire Marshal.