Police: Iowa man threatened to kill father, fired dozens of shots in home while kids slept

A Des Moines man is behind bars for threatening to kill his father and firing dozens of shots inside a north-side home.

Dee Du, 27, has been charged with first-degree harassment, reckless use of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and five counts of child endangerment for his alleged actions Thursday night. 

Des Moines police were called about 11:30 p.m. Thursday to the 4000 block of Columbia Street because a man was firing shots inside his home. A criminal complaint states that Du had fired between 25 and 30 rounds in the basement of the home after an argument with his father. Five children were sleeping in the home at the time, police say. 

Du also that night threatened to kill his father with a knife and kill other relatives if they called police, the report states. When officers arrived, they found Du in arm's reach of the .22-caliber rifle and a pipe with residue inside, court records show. Several shell casings were in the basement as well.

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A small bag of methamphetamine was also found in Du's pocket when he was taken to Polk County Jail, police say. A lawyer has not yet been listed for Du, who has been ordered to avoid contact with the five minors in the home at the time of the incident. 

Du is being held at Polk County Jail on a $35,000 bond. He is next due in court July 15. 

Follow the Register on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at 515-284-8378, tjdavis@dmreg.com or on Twitter @TDavisDMR.