OELWEIN — A Northern Iowa man accused of shooting another man in the face with a .22-caliber firearm after a dispute inside a home is now facing an attempted murder charge and several other serious felonies.
Donald Raymond Forney, 69, of Oelwein, was arrested following the March 28, 2026, shooting in the 500 block of Eighth Street SW.
Oelwein police were called at approximately 8:50 p.m. after receiving a report that a person had suffered a facial injury.
Officers quickly determined the situation was far more serious.
Police said an adult male had been shot in the face with a .22-caliber firearm following a dispute inside the residence.
Officers provided emergency medical aid until MercyOne Ambulance arrived. The victim was then transported to the MercyOne Emergency Department for treatment.
Forney was arrested and initially accused of willful injury causing serious injury, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, going armed with intent and assault with intent to inflict serious injury.
The case has since grown more serious.
Iowa court records show prosecutors formally charged Forney with attempted murder, a Class B felony, along with three additional felony counts:
Attempted murder — Class B felony;
Intimidation with a dangerous weapon with intent to injure or provoke fear — Class C felony;
Willful injury causing serious injury — Class C felony;
Going armed with intent — Class D felony.
The attempted murder charge is the most serious count in the case and carries the possibility of decades in prison if Forney is convicted.
Court records show Forney was initially held on $10,000 cash-only bond following his arrest.
A cash bond was posted March 31, and a promise to appear was filed the same day.
Forney entered a written plea of not guilty on May 20 and waived his right to a speedy trial.
The case is now moving toward trial.
A pretrial conference is scheduled for August 24, 2026, with a jury trial set for September 2.
Recent court filings show attorneys are continuing to prepare the case. A judge approved depositions at state expense on July 10, and another request involving legal fees was granted July 13.
Multiple subpoenas have also been served by the Oelwein Police Department.
The original police investigation remains notable for the severity of the alleged attack: authorities say the victim was shot directly in the face during a dispute inside a residence.
No updated information on the victim’s condition was included in the court filings provided.
The Oelwein Police Department was assisted by MercyOne Ambulance and the MercyOne Emergency Department.
Forney is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.