Central City woman accused of attempting to murder father

A Central City woman was arrested Wednesday on charges that she attempted to kill her father in April.

Alexis Rose Ward, 24, is charged with attempted murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, domestic abuse assault and reckless use of a firearm.

On April 17, at 9:36 p.m., Linn County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 28 W Maple St., Central City, where Alexis Ward lived with her 60-year-old father, Mark Ward, according to a news release from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

Alexis Ward told investigators that she had heard a gunshot while she was outside letting the dog out. She said she didn’t see anyone but she heard footsteps running away, according to a criminal complaint.

A bullet had been fired through Mark Ward’s bedroom window, nearly missing him, but hitting the pillow he was sleeping on. Mark Ward told investigators that after the shot was fired, his daughter brought him his Glock 9 mm handgun to protect himself. A shell casing from the area where the shot was fired, was later determined to match the handgun.

Investigators discovered that Alexis Ward had been experiencing financial troubles and was Mark Ward’s only beneficiary, the complaint states.

Alexis Ward eventually admitted to sheriff’s investigators that she shot the gun, but she claimed it was an accident, according to the complaint.

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