On July 14, 2023 at approximately 1440 hours Webster County Deputies were dispatched to meet with a 17-year-old male juvenile in Gowrie. The juvenile reported that he was in an altercation with his father at 1534 360th Street, Gowrie. He stated his father had placed a gun to his head and pulled the trigger but the gun didn’t go off. He states that his father then told him to get out of the house and fired the handgun toward the juvenile’s feet.
Deputies went to 1534 360th Street to make contact with the father, identified as Ronald Kraft., D.O.B. 09/30/1978. Mr. Kraft was outside of the residence with a handgun and made threats toward the Deputies on scene. Deputies set up on the edge of the property and attempted to speak to Mr. Kraft, who remained confrontational and refused to put the gun down. Eventually Mr. Kraft barricaded himself in the house while still making threats toward Deputies and threaten suicide by cop.
The Webster County Sheriff’s Office/ Fort Dodge Police Department Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) was activated to assist Deputies on scene. The Iowa State Patrol Negotiator Team was also called to the scene to establish contact with Mr. Kraft and attempted to get him to surrender. Utilizing the newly acquired Mine Resistant Armored Personnel (MRAP) vehicle, the SERT team was able to approach the residence, and after several hours the Iowa State Patrol negotiator was able to convince Mr. Kraft to exit the residence. Mr. Kraft was then taken into custody without incident.
Mr. Kraft was transported to Unity Point ER in Fort Dodge for treatment and evaluation, and was then transported to the Webster County Jail and being held on the following charges.
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon – Aggravated Misdemeanor
Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon – Class C Felony
Going Armed with Intent – Class D Felony
Mr. Kraft is being held on a $17,000 dollar cash or surety bond, and is considered innocent of these criminal charges until convicted in a court of law.
The Webster County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Iowa State Patrol, Fort Dodge Police Department, Gowrie Police Department, Department of Natural Resources and Gowrie Ambulance.