In the early morning hours of April 7, 2022, the life of 36-year-old Ruben Lee Porter Sr., a Black / African American male, was cut short in a fatal shooting in Des Moines, Iowa. The incident unfolded inside an apartment located at 3423 Forest Avenue. Des Moines Police Department patrol officers and Des Moines Fire Rescue medics were dispatched to the scene at approximately 7:08 a.m., where they found Porter unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Upon their arrival,
first responders immediately began lifesaving measures, with officers initiating CPR before medics took over. Porter was then transported to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries. His death was classified as the sixth homicide in the city for the year 2022.
Investigators at the scene discovered evidence of illegal drug use within the apartment. According to police, it is believed that everyone present in the apartment at the time of the shooting had been invited. Authorities indicated that a dispute had occurred between Porter and a suspect, leading to the deadly gunfire. The police characterized the crime as spontaneous rather than a random act of violence, suggesting that the individuals involved were known to each other.
In the days following the shooting, the Des Moines Police Department stated that their detectives were making progress in the investigation. However, despite these initial assurances, there have been no subsequent public announcements regarding any arrests made in connection with the death of Ruben Lee Porter Sr. The identity of any suspect or suspects has not been officially released, and the case appears to remain unresolved.
