In the quiet town of Marshalltown, Iowa, the life of a young Black/African American man, Johnqwez Deanthony Lewis, was tragically cut short at the age of 22. On the evening of March 25, 2020, at approximately 9:20 p.m., violence erupted at a local residence, shattering the peace of the community. When officers and medics arrived at the scene, they discovered Lewis and another man, 27-year-old Devonte Allen Brooks, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Lewis tragically died at the scene, while Brooks was transported to a hospital for his injuries and was later released.
The investigation into the shooting was a collaborative effort involving the Marshalltown Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. For nearly a year, detectives meticulously gathered evidence, processed specialist information, and interviewed dozens of community members and witnesses. Early in the investigation, a reward of up to $1,000 was offered for information leading to an arrest, a clear indication of the commitment of law enforcement to solve what they described as a "senseless act of violence."
The breakthrough in the case came in February 2021, when authorities announced the arrest of 37-year-old Robert J. Thomas of Marshalltown. He was charged with one count of Murder in the First Degree for the death of Johnqwez Lewis and one count of Attempt to Commit Murder for the injuries sustained by Devonte Brooks. At the time of his arrest for the murder, Thomas was already incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail on unrelated charges. The motive for the shooting was believed to be an act of retribution, as Thomas's brother had been killed just ten days prior.
In August 2021, a jury found Robert J. Thomas guilty of first-degree murder and attempted murder. He subsequently received a mandatory life sentence for the murder of Johnqwez Lewis, with an additional 25 years for the attempted murder of Devonte Brooks. The successful resolution of the case was attributed to the strong cooperation between the police and the Marshalltown community, who sought justice for the Lewis family. Johnqwez, who had moved to Marshalltown around 2007, was remembered as a free spirit who enjoyed music, dancing, and drawing. He was a husband and a father.
