OTTUMWA — On October 16, 2023, at approximately10:46 p.m., officers from the Ottumwa Police Department were dispatched to 301 S. Ward Street on a report of a stabbing.  The victim was identified as Samuel Gallegos-Ramirez, age 34, of Ottumwa.  Gallegos was transported to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center where he was pronounced deceased.  

On October 26, 2023, at approximately 11:12 a.m., Gary Lewis Scott, age 60, of Ottumwa, was arrested in relation to this incident and charged with the following crimes:  

• Murder in the 1st Degree, a Class “A” Felony
• Willful Injury, a Class “C” Felony
• Assault While Participating in a Felony, a Class “C” Felony
• Going Armed With Intent, a Class “D” Felony

From the onset of the investigation, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisted the Ottumwa Police Department.  Preliminary information at the scene of the incident did not immediately identify all of the circumstances that led to the death of the victim.  Investigators were eventually able to identify that an altercation took place between the victim and the suspect which resulted in the filing of the criminal charges.