Police in Ankeny said one person died early Thursday afternoon after an apparent suicide that forced authorities to order residents in the area to stay in their homes and away from windows.Officers were sent around 12:30 p.m. to an office building at 106 SW Linden St. on the west side of Ankeny. A caller told authorities that a family member had been fired from the business and went into a room, where someone heard a gunshot. Ankeny police Lt. Brian Kroska said investigators believe a man in his mid-40s took his own life after being fired earlier in the day. His identity wasn’t known as of Thursday evening.Officers set up a perimeter and told nearby residents and businesses within a quarter-mile to “shelter in place,” saying they feared the man had a handgun. More than a dozen vehicles from Ankeny and Polk County emergency response agencies surrounded the building. After officers tried to make contact the man, they decided to enter the business, where he was found dead inside. Police have since told residents the area is safe. Ankeny resident Kylee Yakel said she was on her way home when her friend sent her a text message, warning her of the situation. “I thought there was a shooter,” Yakel said. “I thought someone was going around Ankeny with a gun, and I was concerned. I was driving, and it was kind of scary.”No other details have been released. Check back with KCCI-TV, kcci.com or our mobile app for developments to this story.

Police in Ankeny said one person died early Thursday afternoon after an apparent suicide that forced authorities to order residents in the area to stay in their homes and away from windows.

Officers were sent around 12:30 p.m. to an office building at 106 SW Linden St. on the west side of Ankeny. A caller told authorities that a family member had been fired from the business and went into a room, where someone heard a gunshot.


Ankeny police Lt. Brian Kroska said investigators believe a man in his mid-40s took his own life after being fired earlier in the day. His identity wasn’t known as of Thursday evening.

Officers set up a perimeter and told nearby residents and businesses within a quarter-mile to “shelter in place,” saying they feared the man had a handgun. More than a dozen vehicles from Ankeny and Polk County emergency response agencies surrounded the building.

After officers tried to make contact the man, they decided to enter the business, where he was found dead inside.

Police have since told residents the area is safe. Ankeny resident Kylee Yakel said she was on her way home when her friend sent her a text message, warning her of the situation.

“I thought there was a shooter,” Yakel said. “I thought someone was going around Ankeny with a gun, and I was concerned. I was driving, and it was kind of scary.”

No other details have been released. Check back with KCCI-TV, kcci.com or our mobile app for developments to this story.