In the early morning hours of March 12, 2025, the life of 16-year-old Cary Duke Titus Griffin, a White male from Fort Madison, Iowa, was tragically cut short. At approximately 2:01 a.m., a 911 call summoned law enforcement and first responders to a residence at 505 10th St. in Fort Madison. Upon their arrival, they discovered the young man suffering from a single gunshot wound to his upper torso.
Griffin, a sophomore at Fort Madison High School, was a cherished member of his community,
known for his love of basketball, video games, skating, and playing his guitar. He was surrounded by a loving family and a wide circle of friends who now mourn his untimely passing. Despite the immediate medical attention and his transport to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Griffin was pronounced deceased. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner to determine the official cause of death.
In the wake of the shooting, a multi-agency investigation was launched, involving the Fort Madison Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Lee County Attorney's Office. While the authorities have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Griffin's death remains active. As of early June 2025, investigators were awaiting analysis of several items from the Iowa Crime Lab. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, and law enforcement has not publicly identified any suspects. The community of Fort Madison continues to await answers as they grieve the loss of a young life taken too soon.
