In the early morning hours of Saturday, August 6, 2022, the life of Scott Alan Crane, a 51-year-old Caucasian male from Des Moines, Iowa, was tragically cut short. Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence at 340 Northeast 46th Avenue in Des Moines following 911 calls reporting the sound of gunshots in the area. Upon their arrival, they discovered Mr.
Crane deceased inside the home from what appeared to be a gunshot wound.
The investigation into the homicide quickly pointed towards a person of interest. Authorities identified 38-year-old Courtney Shane Smith as being sought in connection with Crane's death. Just two days after the incident, on Monday afternoon, Smith turned himself in to the Polk County Sheriff's Office on a material witness warrant.
Following his surrender, the investigation progressed, and by Tuesday, Courtney Shane Smith was formally charged with Murder in the First Degree for the killing of Scott Alan Crane. His initial court appearance was scheduled for the following day. The motive and the specific circumstances leading up to the fatal shooting have not been detailed in the available information.
