Court records show a Des Moines woman who was shot to death Monday had a restraining order against the suspect. Police say 24-year-old Carrie Russell was shot by 25-year-old Robert Sears outside a home on Des Moines’ east side. Russell died, while Sears was found at his home a few hours later, dead of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.
Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Jana Rooker says Russell and Sears had dated, but Russell broke off the relationship and was granted a protective order by a judge on September 21. Rooker says she understands why some people feel restraining orders are ineffective.
“I can understand why people would question that. It’s hard to predict what somebody may or may not do,” Rooker said. “The hope is that people are going to abide by these orders and not see or speak to the parties involved and definitely abide by any kind of orders that instructs them to turn in any weapons.”
Investigators are trying to determine where Sears obtained a gun. He applied for a gun permit in late September but was denied because of the protective order. Russell’s roommate, 56-year-old Leona Fatino, was injured in Monday’s shooting. She was taken to a hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the leg.