Police have identified the man they suspect fatally shot himself Thursday afternoon at a business in Ankeny, prompting officials to order nearby residents to take shelter.

Clifford Scott Gottula, 45, of Arvada, Colorado, killed himself in a bathroom at the business, Fun and Action at 106 SW Linden St., after he was terminated from his job earlier in the day, authorities said.

Officers were called to the scene before 12:25 p.m. for shots fired, during which a person said their family member had been fired from the business and went into a bathroom. They then heard a gunshot.

A father of three boys, ages 11 to 15, Gottula fell into a "dark" place after a divorce about two years ago, his older brother, Steve Gottula, 55, of Spring, Texas, said Friday.

Gottula, who went by his middle name, Scott, worked at the family business, Brass Armadillo Antique Mall, with his father, Larry, for more than 25 years, his brother said. The company — owned by Ankeny-based Fun and Action — owns six stores across the country; Scott Gottula managed the one in Denver.

Becoming emotional, Steve Gottula called his brother a "torn soul" who wanted to make everyone happy. He made poor decisions with the business and in his personal life, ones he apparently could not face, his brother said.

Steve Gottula said he would miss his brother’s laughter, something people could hear over anything else in a room. He described him as a great brother and a loving father.

“He had a heart of gold,” Steve Gottula said. "I know he was a beautiful person."

A receptionist at the business' Denver store referred questions to the Ankeny headquarters; people there declined to comment Friday. The Des Moines store's general manager could not be reached.

At the time of the shooting, nearby businesses were occupied and residents were in their apartments above the building near West First and Southwest Linden streets. Officers vacated the area as quickly as possible.

Because they suspected Gottula had a firearm, officials used what Lt. Brian Kroska called "code red," alerting residents within a quarter mile to "shelter in place." Officials made a perimeter and ordered people to stay inside and away from windows.

A hostage negotiator was called to the business, trying to make contact with the man, though police said Thursday they do not believe hostages were taken.

The Des Moines Register does not generally name people suspected of suicide. Ankeny police named Gottula in a news release about the incident that prompted a public shelter order.

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