DES MOINES, Iowa — A quiet neighborhood on the 200 block of Bell Avenue was shattered in the early hours of Tuesday morning, July 22, 2025, when a domestic disturbance escalated into a deadly shooting. Des Moines Police have confirmed that 73-year-old David Lee Ramsey has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of his 38-year-old step-grandson, Ryan Schonlau.
Police say they were called to the home just before 1 a.m. after a 911 report of gunfire. When officers arrived, they found Schonlau unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency responders quickly confirmed that he had died at the scene.
Ramsey, who was still at the residence when police arrived, was immediately taken into custody without incident. Both men lived at the same home, though the nature of their relationship—beyond being family—remains under investigation. No one else in the home was injured, and there were no signs of forced entry or outside involvement.
Ongoing Investigation into Domestic Circumstances
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive, but early reports suggest that the shooting may have stemmed from an argument or long-standing tension between the two men. According to neighbors, there had been no previous calls to police for violence at the address, although a few residents mentioned overhearing frequent verbal disputes in recent weeks.
“This is just heartbreaking. We had no idea anything like this was going on behind those doors,” said one neighbor who asked not to be named. “They kept to themselves, mostly. This is a peaceful neighborhood.”
Des Moines Police said the investigation is still active. They are interviewing potential witnesses and reviewing any surveillance footage from nearby homes to piece together a clearer picture of what happened inside the residence that night.
A Family Torn Apart
The tragedy highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence, particularly in situations involving multiple generations living under one roof. Friends of Ryan Schonlau say he had struggled in recent years but was trying to rebuild his life.
“He didn’t deserve to die like this,” one friend said. “Whatever issues they had, it didn’t have to end in bloodshed. It’s just such a tragic waste.”
Ramsey, now facing the most serious charge under Iowa law, remains held without bond. If convicted of first-degree murder, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Community Reeling
As word of the incident spread across Des Moines, many expressed disbelief that something so violent had occurred in their midst—especially involving an elderly man and a family member.
“This is the kind of story you don’t expect in your own backyard,” said another neighbor. “A grandfather figure shooting his grandson—it just shakes you to your core.”
Police have urged the public to come forward with any information that may help the case. They also stressed the importance of checking in on loved ones and reporting any signs of domestic tension before situations spiral out of control.
The Des Moines Police Department continues to investigate and plans to release more information as the case develops. In the meantime, a family and a community are left to grapple with the grief and horror of a moment that changed their lives forever.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Des Moines Police or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa.
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