Ames Police Department is investigating a possible homicide that was originally reported as accidental when an Ames man was found with a gunshot wound to the head on Dec. 20, 2013. 

Leigh Lepon, 32, of Boone, is being held at Story County Jail on a charge of murder in the first degree according to a press release from Ames police. 

Ames man Devlin F. Lockman, 38, was found with a gunshot wound to the head in his home at 4810 Westbend Drive in Ames on Dec. 20. He was treated at the scene and later pronounced dead at Mary Greeley Medical Center.

According to the press release, police originally declared the shooting as a self-inflicted accident when “the victim was handling a loaded, semi-automatic, 9mm handgun.”

However, as “a result of new witness information, autopsy results conducted by the State Medical Examiner’s Office and additional forensic evidence,” Lepon was charged with first degree murder. 

Ames Police asks anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 239-5133. Persons can call the anonymous tip line at 239-5533 of the Story County Crime Stoppers through a call, online or through text message.