Murdered Son’s Family Sues Father

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a rural Fairbank man, who allegedly shot and killed his son earlier this year.

The family of 36-year-old Brock Niebuhr initiated the court action against Brock's father, 59-year-old Daniel Niebuhr. The suit was filed in Bremer County District Court.

The incident happened March 22 in Daniel's rural Fairbank home. Daniel had apparently stopped taking his medications, and shot Brock in the neck, when his wife went to pick up his prescriptions. Daniel was being treated for mental illness.

Daniel has been charged with 1st-degree murder, but the case is on hold pending a competency examination.

Brock's estate is seeking punitive damages and legal costs in the wrongful death suit.

Brock is survived by his wife, Lauren, and their young child.