In the early hours of July 2, 2025, a dispute on Des Moines' east side turned fatal, leaving 35-year-old Percy Butler, a Black / African American male, dead from a gunshot wound. The incident occurred just after 12:15 a.m. at 3600 Kennedy Drive, where Des Moines police officers responded to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered Butler suffering from a serious gunshot injury.
Officers administered first aid until paramedics arrived and transported him to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries despite lifesaving efforts.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to a suspect. Evidence gathered by police indicated that the shooting was a directed incident stemming from an argument between Butler and another man. Law enforcement officials emphasized that there was no ongoing danger to the surrounding neighborhood. The prompt police work ensured that a person of interest was identified in a timely manner, moving the case from an active threat to a homicide investigation.
Later that day, law enforcement located and arrested 31-year-old Tywone Morrow of Des Moines in connection with the fatal shooting. Morrow was taken into custody on the west side of the city while traveling in a vehicle. During his arrest, he was reportedly uncooperative and spit in a detective's face. Morrow was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, assault on a police officer, and providing false identification information. An unrelated active arrest warrant for violating a no-contact order was also discovered at the time of his arrest. Morrow is currently being held at the Polk County Jail as the investigation continues.
