In Des Moines, Iowa, a young Black/African American man's life was tragically cut short on September 1, 2024. Tariq Reynolds, a 21-year-old male, was known by those who loved him as a kind and selfless person, a gentle soul who could brighten the darkest of days with just his smile. On that Sunday afternoon, his heroic attempt to protect others cost him his life.
The incident unfolded at a residence on South Union Street, where an argument had broken out.
The dispute reportedly began between 19-year-old Martavius Lamon Green of Atlanta, Georgia, and another person over sharing marijuana. As the argument escalated, it turned physical. Tariq Reynolds stepped in to intervene in the confrontation. During the altercation, Green punched Reynolds' sibling. In response, Tariq, who was significantly larger than Green, put him in a "bear hug." The two stumbled, and while on the ground, Green, who was armed with a gun, shot the unarmed Reynolds twice in the upper torso. First responders arrived at the scene around 1:40 p.m. to find Tariq suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. His death marked the eighth homicide in Des Moines for the year 2024.
Following the shooting, the suspect, Martavius Lamon Green, fled the scene on foot but was apprehended by police the next morning. A gun was recovered at the scene of the crime. Green was initially charged with first-degree murder. He was held in the Polk County Jail on a $1 million cash bond. In a later court proceeding, Green pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and first-degree burglary. He claimed he acted in self-defense, stating that Reynolds was choking him. Ultimately, he was sentenced to up to 35 years in prison and is required to serve a minimum of 10 years before becoming eligible for parole.
