Farmer Kills Bank President, 2 Others, Then Takes Own Life

HILLS, Iowa —  A farmer upset over his financial plight went berserk today, shooting and killing a bank president, another farmer, his own wife and himself, authorities said.

The shotgun-wielding farmer began his assault shortly after 11 a.m., bursting into the Hills Bank and Trust Co., where he shot and killed the bank’s president, bank officials said.

The farmer, identified as Dale Burr of rural Lone Tree, then went to a nearby farm and killed a farmer, police said. He continued home, shot his wife and took his own life, police said.

Townspeople said Burr was distraught over financial problems but details were not available.

“We’re just in shock,” said Jim Stockman, owner of Hills Grain and Feed Inc., located less than one block from the main-street bank. “It just doesn’t happen. It’s shaking everyone up pretty good” because most of the town’s 500 residents knew the people involved in the shooting.

Tim Smith, a vice president at the bank, said in a telephone interview “there has been an accident” at the financial institution, located about 10 miles south of Iowa City. He confirmed the bank’s president had been killed.

Howard Hall, deputy state banking superintendent, said officials at the bank notified him that Hills President John Hughes was shot to death at about 11:30 a.m.