In the early hours of September 17, 2020, the life of 21-year-old Joshua Sebastian Gabriel, a White/Caucasian male, was tragically cut short in Des Moines, Iowa. Just after midnight, officers were dispatched to the Hickman Flats apartments in the 2400 block of Hickman Road. Upon arrival, they found a harrowing scene where bystanders were attempting to render aid to Joshua, who was suffering from a gunshot wound.
Emergency medical services transported him to a local hospital, but the
severity of his injuries proved to be fatal, and he died a short time later. The incident was quickly classified as a homicide, marking the 19th in the city for that year. The Des Moines Police Department began an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The investigation led to the swift identification and apprehension of two suspects. Two juvenile males from Des Moines, aged 14 and 15, were taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting. Both teenagers were charged with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery, bringing a swift but grim resolution to the initial phase of the investigation.
Joshua, who was born in Des Moines on November 23, 1998, was remembered by his family as being filled with humor, compassion, and a joy for life. His untimely death left behind his parents, five sisters, and a large extended family to grapple with the sudden and violent loss.
