David Carpenter, 48, is facing charges of attempted murder and child endangerment following the August 11 incident, which unfolded in front of his son. According to a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime, police were called to a residence in the 2000 block of Monarch Drive at approximately 9:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a shooting. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found David Carpenter standing outside the home. Carpenter, who reportedly called 911 himself, admitted to shooting his father, William Carpenter. Paramedics entered the home and discovered William Carpenter with a gunshot wound to the face. He was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Argument escalates to violence
While being treated in the hospital, William Carpenter informed detectives that his son had shot him after they argued about “stinky feet.” The dispute, which reportedly began in the living room, escalated into a heated confrontation over broader family issues.
During a police interview, David Carpenter allegedly confirmed the details of the argument. According to the complaint, the conflict began when William commented on his son’s foot odor, which quickly led to a verbal altercation. David claimed he heard his father make a remark about shooting him, which prompted him to retrieve a firearm from his bedroom.
David told police that he returned to the living room, where his father was seated. He stated that he held the gun behind his back while yelling at William about “guns.” At some point during the confrontation, David allegedly pulled the firearm out from behind his back and, according to his account, accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting his father in the face.
Police reports indicate that two children under the age of 14 were present in the home at the time of the shooting. Detectives stated that David admitted at least one of his children was in the living room watching television when the incident occurred, raising additional concerns of child endangerment.
David Carpenter is currently being held at the Des Moines County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing at the Des Moines County Courthouse on August 21. The incident has left the local community shocked, highlighting the tragic consequences that can arise from seemingly minor disputes when tempers flare.
