Man injured in Des Moines shooting that killed 2 arrested on misdemeanor charge after leaving hospital
An arrest has been made following the shooting of four people on Des Moines' west side, but a shooter has not yet been identified by police.
Damiko L. Carr, 28, and Karyree Henderson, 21, both of Des Moines, were killed in the Wednesday afternoon shooting in the 2700 block of 51st Street. Investigators said they have not been able to identify a motive or suspect.
Alonzo Kearney, 26, was hospitalized after the Merle Hay neighborhood violence. Kearney was shot in the leg and police said he was arrested after leaving a medical center.
"He ran from uniformed officers (during the investigation)," Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said in an email.
Kearney faces charges of interference with officials acts, but also has outstanding warrants unrelated to the case, according to a police news release. He ran about six blocks from the shooting scene and was found in the 2700 block of Merle Hay Road, police said Wednesday.
Court records show Kearney pleaded guilty Friday and was fined.
A 31-year-old man remained hospitalized Thursday as a result of the shooting.
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Parizek declined to answer questions about who was home at the time of the shooting or from where exactly the shots were fired, citing an open investigation.
"Releasing any additional information, at this time, could potentially compromise the progress of the investigation," he noted in an email. "... additional information will be shared as it becomes available for release.'"
The city councilman who represents the Merle Hay neighborhood where the shooting occurred said he "couldn't believe" the violence took place on that block.
“It’s in a real densely residential area, so it’s really an anomaly to have that happen," Ward 1 Councilman Bill Gray said Thursday. "Obviously it wasn’t random. There was questions on is that a rental property? Or is it somebody's home that was renting out to other people?”
None of those injured are listed as owners of the property. The homeowners declined to comment when reached by the Register.
The property where the shooting occurred includes a detached garage that functions as a recording studio, which is where authorities believe the shots occurred.
Gray also mentioned that police have said those involved were at the home to "settle a debt."
Parizek said he could not confirm nor deny that claim, citing the open investigation.
“You could’ve pushed me over with a feather," Gray said. "I got a text from the police chief right as police were being dispatched. Just absolutely crazy, I couldn’t believe it.”
Friends and family of those involved declined to comment when reached by the Register. One neighbor who spoke to reporters at the scene said violent crime is uncommon for the neighborhood.
"On my way home (from work) I was just kind of shook," said Joe Robuck, 30, who has lived on the block for five years. "It's definitely uncommon for this area … but you never know what's going on in peoples' houses."
The shooting deaths were the second and third of this year. Early on New Year's Day, a 14-year-old boy was shot and killed while standing inside an enclosed porch at a house in the 1400 block of 17th Street. No arrest has been made in that case.
Tyler Davis covers breaking news for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at tjdavis@registermedia.com, 515-284-8378 or on Twitter @TDavisDMR.
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