A 21-year-old man from West Des Moines is facing serious criminal charges after authorities say he tried to kill his mother during a violent incident at their home over the weekend.
Nathan Norrell has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and going armed with intent following the alleged attack. Police responded to the scene shortly before 7:30 p.m. Saturday after receiving a report of a stabbing at a residence in the 6300 block of Centre Street.
When officers arrived, they found the victim injured and immediately began providing medical assistance. She was later transported to a nearby hospital, where she was treated for injuries that officials described as non-life-threatening.
According to the criminal complaint, Norrell had been drinking at the family home earlier that evening. At some point, he reportedly asked his mother if he could use her speaker, which was located inside the primary bathroom. She told him no.
Later, when the woman entered the bathroom, investigators say Norrell allegedly launched a sudden attack. Court records state that he had been hiding behind the bathroom door while holding a large fixed-blade knife.
Documents filed in the case say the victim suffered multiple injuries during the encounter. These included a large laceration to her neck as well as several defensive wounds on her hands, which authorities believe occurred as she tried to protect herself during the assault.
After the initial attack, Norrell reportedly followed his mother into the kitchen while she attempted to treat her injuries. At some point during the chaos, she managed to contact emergency services for help. Norrell then fled the home.
In her statement to police, the victim described the neck injury as “intentional” and said she “feared for her life and believed that the defendant was going to kill her.”
Court records also reference an earlier incident involving Norrell that took place roughly two weeks before the alleged stabbing. During that situation, he was reportedly found passed out in a bedroom while holding a kitchen knife.
Authorities say Norrell later used an Uber to travel to his grandfather’s home. Once there, he turned himself in to the police without incident. Investigators say he told them he does not remember what happened and claimed he blacked out due to a combination of medication and alcohol.
Norrell is currently being held at the Dallas County Jail with a $750,000 cash bond. Police say the investigation into the incident is still ongoing.