Posted on 04/09/2011 1:43:21 AM PDT by hawkeye101
Real Estate Agent Shot To Death In Model Home
Iowa Realty Cancels Des Moines Area Open Houses
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- A real estate agent was shot to death Friday in a new townhome complex in West Des Moines. West Des Moines police have identified her as Ashley Okland, 27, of West Des Moines.
Polk County Medical Examiner Dr. Gregory Schmunk confirmed to KCCI that he was called in to examine Okland at Methodist Medical Center at about 3:30 p.m. Friday. Schmunk said she probably died within an hour of that call.
West Des Moines Lt. Jim Barrett said the shooting happened at the Stone Creek Villas. A woman who works for the builder of the development found Okland shot inside the model unit and called 911 at 2:09 p.m., police said.
Police said and Schmunk later confirmed that Okland was shot once in the head and once in the chest.
Police put up crime scene tape to block off the area around the model home. Police talked with neighbors in the area to see if they saw anything.
Police said no one has been arrested in connection with the shooting. Police said that "at this time there is no reason to believe that this is anything but an isolated incident, however, investigators are still trying to determine a motive and possible suspect(s) for the shooting."
The case is considered suspicious and remains under investigation.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the West Des Moines Police Department at (515) 222-3344 or Polk County Crime Stoppers at (515) 223-1400.
Iowa Realty Reaction
A message was posted on Iowa Realty's Des Moines area website Friday afternoon saying, "We wish to inform you that all open houses are cancelled the weekend of April 9 & 10. Check back next week for updates."
The company also posted a note on it's Facebook page on Friday at 4:29 p.m.:
"To all Iowa Realty and Prudential First Realty Agents, I am asking that all of you immediately cancel any open houses you have scheduled this weekend. A few of you may be aware of a tragic incident, beyond comprehension, has occurred at a model home in West Des Moines this afternoon involving one of our Iowa Realty agents. I ask that you keep her in your prayers. Your safety is our chief concern here, and if the situation changes we will notify you immediately via email and voice-mail on your office phone." -- R. Michael Knapp, President and CEO
My wife ( a RE broker) will NOT meet anyone to show a house without first meeting them at her office for qualification. She also has her CCW, and does carry a subcompact Beretta.
Why would she show a house to an ex?
“My old neighborhood was upscale & safe...
It’s called “Ten Hills” in Baltimore, MD.”
No place in the DC-MD-Baltimore area is “safe.” I’m from PG County and if they ever legalize concealed carry, I will.
omg I know PG County-that’s rough living down there isn’t it?
I have been a property manager for 25 years. Over the years I have shown 1000’s of vacant apartments. I work in a one woman office so most of the time no one knows where I am and no one would miss me for several hours if anything happened to me. Usually it doesn’t bother me but occasionally I get a bad feeling when someone shows up to view an apartment. A few times I have made up a story that I have to stay in the office because I am expecting a very important call. I give the person a key and tell them where the vacant apartment is and let them look at it alone. I then call my husband or a friend and alert them to the situation.I figure that if they don’t return with the key shortly I can always have the locks changed on the vacant apartment again. I always keep my office locked and people must ring the door bell and I allow them in. I don’t like to be caught off guard by total strangers just walking in on me. I once got written up by a secret shopper because of that but my safety is more important, at least to me. There was a real estate agent killed in this area several years ago while she was showing a house.
That is close to the old “police suspect foul play”.
if they ever legalize concealed carry, I will.
What in heck does legalize have to do with it.
Is your personal safety an issue of legalization?
You are responsible, no one else, and government has put you in the pretzel position of having to juggle your personal safety and the law. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness is the law, any other is trumped IMHO.
“omg I know PG County-that’s rough living down there isn’t it?”
It’s interesting, but it’s been home for 50 years. When I retire I’m definitely going to unass the AO (Area of Operations). Move out west to a sparsely-populated square state.
“What in heck does legalize have to do with it.”
My going to jail for one thing. If I stick it out for a few more years I’m gone.
go north, northwest
god i’m so glad i’m out of Maryland what a ghetto.
If I stick it out for a few more years I’m gone.
I should ask where?
Best of Luck.
“Why would she show a house to an ex?”
Killer hired by ex. Boyfriend or ex knew she’d be there at that time etc. This sounds more like a hit than some sex fiend or psycho. I watch too many cable crime shows etc...
Have visited 'model' homes in a development near our home. When inquiring; noticed doors, often left unlocked.
No doubt, 'details' will follow. . .there is no justice here for this young women; but hope, nonetheless, it was someone she knew. It might at least, give some sense to what is - no matter what, of course - a horrible unfolding.
Meant to clarify; i.e. doors left unlocked; and no one there.
“I should ask where?”
One of those big square states, maybe Wyoming.
Thanks!
Sometimes, they just 'show up'. . .uninvited; and without an appoinitment.
I grew up in Mont. Co. in the 70’s, finally left in the early 90’s.
Last time I visited I couldn’t believe what had become of the place.
PS: Sometimes you have to carry, I did when I worked a job in Anacostia during the Marion Berry days.
“My wife ( a RE broker) will NOT meet anyone to show a house without first meeting them at her office for qualification. She also has her CCW, and does carry a subcompact Beretta.”
One of our best friends is a realtor and screens her potential customers on her cell phone before meeting them at the office with her husband and BIL. Both are big guys and wear NRA pins.
Her biggest concern was open houses. Before she stopped working open houses, her husband or BIL would man a portable table just inside the door. Both have C&C permits, and they would display NRA magazines on the table. No one toured the house until their Driver’s license was scan/copied and emailed to their office/home computer.
Anyone, who had a problem with that, were told they couldn’t see the house.
After the financial meltdown, they don’t do open houses.
what the heck were you doing in Anacostia??? that’s worse than Detroit.
nice to see you have found some peace.
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