On the evening of October 11, 2019, a tragic event unfolded in Fort Dodge, Iowa, leading to the death of 28-year-old Mohammed Yaqoub of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. An aspiring musician, the Middle Eastern / Arab man was found unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds behind a local restaurant. First responders were called to the 1400 block of A Street West around 8:05 p.m. following reports of shots fired.
Despite their life-saving efforts, Yaqoub was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of his injuries.
Investigators soon determined that Yaqoub was in Fort Dodge for what was supposed to be a drug transaction. He had arranged to meet with individuals to sell a pound of marijuana. The location of the meeting, behind the Tom Thumb Drive Inn, was not believed to have any special significance other than being a prearranged meeting spot. The incident was described by police as a drug deal that had gone tragically wrong, ultimately resulting in a robbery and homicide. Yaqoub was reportedly visiting the area and did not reside in the Fort Dodge community.
The investigation quickly led to the identification of two suspects. A 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with first-degree aiding and abetting robbery. The other suspect, identified as 19-year-old Damion Lamont Chavez of Fort Dodge, fled the state. Arrest warrants were issued for Chavez for first-degree murder and first-degree robbery. He was apprehended two days after the shooting.
Damion Chavez was initially charged with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree murder. In August 2021, Chavez, then 21, was sentenced to up to 50 years in prison, with the requirement to serve 70% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. The 16-year-old accomplice, Tate Martinson, pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and was sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. At his sentencing, Chavez expressed remorse for his actions, apologizing to the victim's family.
