In the early morning hours of October 3, 2023, the life of 26-year-old Kemp Xavier Sherrod Harriel, a Black male, was tragically cut short. On that Tuesday, what began as a trip from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines with an acquaintance would end with his death from two gunshot wounds to the chest.
Later that morning, around 8:10 a.m., Iowa State Troopers on patrol along westbound Interstate 80 near Grinnell came across a stalled 2010 Chevrolet Malibu.
The driver, 23-year-old Jihah Abdul-Malik Gasaway of Cedar Rapids, informed the troopers that he needed a jump start and disclosed that he was carrying a gun. This admission prompted a search of the vehicle.
Concealed under a pile of clothing in the front passenger seat, troopers discovered the unresponsive body of Harriel. It was apparent he had sustained gunshot wounds, and medical services pronounced him deceased at the scene. Investigators determined that the shooting had occurred inside the car.
Gasaway was taken into custody and initially charged with abuse of a corpse. Following an autopsy that confirmed Harriel's death as a homicide, the charges against Gasaway were upgraded to first-degree murder. According to criminal complaints, Gasaway admitted that he and Harriel had "got into it." In February 2025, Jihah Gasaway pleaded guilty to attempted murder and is facing a 55-year prison sentence.
Kemp Harriel, originally from Chicago, Illinois, was a cook and was remembered by loved ones as an adventurous person who enjoyed traveling and humor. His family and friends were left to mourn the sudden and violent end to his life.
