Crime Solvers Central
CSC
263 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Josiah Woods death by force case profile photo

Josiah Woods

Case from Des Moines, IA dated Jan 01, 2020

Victim Details

Josiah Woods

Male

Black / African American

Des Moines

IA

2020-01-01

14

Josiah

Woods

07/05/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
In the early morning hours of New Year's Day 2020, the life of a 14-year-old Black / African American male named Josiah Woods was tragically cut short in Des Moines, Iowa. Just before 4:00 a.m. on January 1st, Josiah was on the enclosed front porch of a residence in the 1400 block of 17th Street when he was struck by gunfire. The shooting marked the city's first homicide of the new year. Josiah, who was remembered by his middle school principal as a fun-loving and talented young man with great p ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for Josiah Woods, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (9)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • KCCI: Des Moines man pleads for 'no retaliation, no violence' after son's death
  • KWWL: Child killed in New Year's shooting in Des Moines - KWWL
    • MEMBER ACCESS

    Unlock 7 additional sources

    View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

    View All Case Sources — $3.97/month
    Cancel anytime.
    Already a member? Log in

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (3)

    I’ve been following the case of Josiah Woods closely, and my heart goes out to his family and frie... ...Read More
    06/06/2024
    I came across some info about Josiah Woods' case and just wanted to reflect on how important communi... ...Read More
    03/13/2023
    I’ve been following the case of Josiah Woods, and something that's been really tough to wrap my he... ...Read More
    03/11/2023
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for Josiah Woods

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Cases from Des Moines, Iowa

    Percy Butler death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Percy Butler

    Death: Jul 02, 2025
    In the early hours of July 2, 2025, a dispute on Des Moines' east side turned fatal, leaving 35-year a ...Read More
    Thurmon Tervale Cole death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Thurmon Tervale Cole

    Death: Oct 04, 2018
    In the early morning hours of October 4, 2018, the life of Thurmon Tervale Cole, a 42-year-old Black c ...Read More
    Karyree Henderson death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Karyree Henderson

    Death: Jan 15, 2020
    In the late afternoon of January 15, 2020, a burst of gunfire shattered the quiet of a Des Moines, I ...Read More
    James Brown III death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    James Brown III

    Death: Jun 15, 2008
    In the summer of 2008, a young man's life was tragically cut short in Des Moines, Iowa. James H. "Ja J ...Read More
    Tyrone Livon Hutchins death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Tyrone Livon Hutchins

    Death: Dec 10, 2022
    On the evening of December 10, 2022, a 35-year-old male Des Moines resident, Tyrone Livon Hutchins, , ...Read More
    Alonzo Kearney death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Alonzo Kearney

    Death: Nov 27, 2022
    In the early hours of a Sunday morning, the life of Alonzo Kearney, a 29-year-old Black man, was tra r ...Read More
    Frederick M. McCuller II death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Frederick M. McCuller II

    Death: Aug 30, 2021
    On a late summer evening in Des Moines, Iowa, the life of Frederick M. McCuller II, a 40-year-old Bl B ...Read More