Dike Man’s Death Ruled A Homicide

The weekend death of a Dike man has been ruled a homicide by the Iowa State Medical Examiner.

Autopsy results show that Brock Niebuhr, 36, was killed by a gunshot wound to the neck, Bremer County sheriff's officials said in a news release. The autopsy was performed by Dr. Jonathan Thompson, an assistant state medical examiner.

Niebuhr's father, Daniel Niebuhr of rural Fairbank, is charged with first-degree murder in the case. His bond is set at $2 million.

Investigators said Daniel Niebuhr, 59, admitted to shooting his son, while Brock sat on a couch watching television at Daniel's home west of Fairbank. Bremer County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to 2682 Vine Ave. on Friday after Buchanan County authorities received a report that someone may have been stabbed and killed at the home.

When authorities arrived around 5:30 PM, they found Brock Niebuhr's body. They said he had been shot to death.

Authorities have not released a motive for the killing. The case remains under investigation by Bremer County sheriff's officials, who are being assisted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.