In the early hours of a Sunday morning in Des Moines, Iowa, the life of 18-year-old Dean Titus Deng, a Black/African American male, was tragically cut short. On November 14, 2021, authorities found the young man inside a vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound. Des Moines police had responded to the scene near the East Village where they discovered two victims of a shooting.
While a 23-year-old man who was also shot was expected to survive, Deng succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. His death marked the city's 12th homicide of the year.
The investigation into the fatal shooting moved swiftly. Within days, law enforcement identified a suspect in connection with the case. A 17-year-old, Quarian Deonte Moore, was taken into custody on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Initially, his arrest was based on several unrelated warrants. However, the investigation led authorities to link him directly to the death of Dean Deng.
Subsequently, Quarian Deonte Moore was charged with first-degree murder. According to the information released, Moore appears to be the only individual charged in connection with the shooting. The arrest and murder charge represented a significant development in the case, bringing a measure of progress for those seeking justice for the untimely death of Dean Titus Deng.
