DES MOINES, Iowa — The suspect in a Des Moines double homicide has died, according to Des Moines police.
22-year-old Jason Rothman, of Des Moines, passed away from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the hospital on Thursday.
The news comes just more than a week after officers responded to reports of a shooting at a home in the 2600 block of 53rd Street on Monday, Dec. 12.
"The Des Moines Police Department Communications Center received multiple calls reporting gunfire heard, as well as a call from a male reporting to be the person responsible for the shootings within the home," Sgt. Paul Parizek said in a press release. "During that call, he indicated that he was walking to a nearby park with the intention of committing suicide."
When police arrived at the home, police found two women with gunshot wounds. Police later identified them as 47-year-old Danielle Remily and her daughter, 20-year-old Emma Parker.
Both women were pronounced dead at the scene.
DMPD officers located Rothman at Riley Park with "an apparent gunshot injury". Police also found a handgun at the park.
Lifesaving measures were initiated and the suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. Police believe he forced his way into the home where he shot and killed the victims before fleeing on foot.
Police also say the handgun found at Riley Park was used in the double homicide, as well as Rothman's suicide.
"The preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect was known to the victims, having had a prior relationship with the 20-year-old victim," an earlier release said.
Based on preliminary investigations, DMPD said in a press release that Rothman had a "prior relationship" with Parker.
DMPD is investigating whether that relationship was a factor in the homicide.
These are the city's 19th and 20th homicides of 2022.
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