Linn County SWAT Captures Suspect After Finding Man Dead in Road in Central City

Emergency responders located a dead man lying in the road at around 8:39 a.m. Friday morning in rural Central City. The case is being considered a homicide. Linn County's equivalent of a SWAT team apprehended a suspect at his home nearby after a six-hour negotiation.

The suspect is 63-year-old Martin Paul Wilkinson, of 2567 Windy Hill Circle in Central City, according to a statement from Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner released late Friday. Sheriff's officers used tear gas to get him out of his home after he refused to leave and then a Taser in order to take him into custody, the statement said.

The yet-unnamed victim was found lying face down near 2558 Janette Nehl Lane, an area of rural Central City people call Muckersville. Officials have not released how the man died. They plan to release the man's name at noon today, pending notification of next of kin.

Wilkenson’s been transported to Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, which the Sheriff's Department said is common procedure when a Taser is used.

Officials say that the man was admitted to treatment for injuries, which "appeared" to have happened before the confrontation with authorities.

Charges are pending and the investigation is ongoing.