Man charged with murder, robbery in killing of 17-year-old in Des Moines; more arrests expected
Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the total number of homicides in 2019 to four.
A 28-year-old man has been charged in the shooting death of a Des Moines teenager.
Javell D. Williams of Des Moines was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Donzell Martin, Des Moines police said. Additional arrests are expected.
Martin, of Des Moines, died after being shot Sunday on the city's northeast side, Des Moines police said in a Monday news release. Police said they believe he was targeted, but did not elaborate.
Officers responded to reports of shots fired at the 1700 block of East 12th Street at about 8:40 p.m. on Sunday. Five minutes later, a gunshot victim showed up at MercyOne Medical Center, just north of downtown Des Moines. The victim arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle and later died.
Martin's family and friends could not be reached for comment Monday. Williams was being held without bond at the Polk County Jail. It was not clear whether he had a lawyer to represent him.
Police did not disclose details about their investigation or how they identified Williams.
Martin is the youngest person killed by gunfire in Des Moines since June, when 17-year-old Tyrese Parson was shot.
The shooting is the city's fourth homicide of 2019.
Charles Michael Childs was killed Jan. 8 in a fatal hit-and-run. The 69-year-old homeless man’s body was discovered two days after the crash. Another homeless man, 21-year-old Donterius Jamar Bomar, has been charged with attempted murder in the death of Childs, although court proceedings are on hold while Bomar's competence for trial is assessed.
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Luke Swann was killed March 4 after a shootout with police. Des Moines police say he fired at three officers during a stolen-car investigation, and the officers shot back, killing the 36-year-old.
Darryn Boles Brooks, 25, of Des Moines, was found dead with a gunshot wound on March 9 in a parking lot in the 1000 block of 11th Street.
Follow the Register on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at 515-284-8378, tjdavis@dmreg.com or on Twitter @TDavisDMR.