In the spring of 2019, the life of 17-year-old Donzell Martin, a young Black / African American man, was cut short in Des Moines, Iowa. On the evening of April 14th, reports of gunfire in the 1700 block of East 12th Street, near Union Park, prompted a police response at approximately 8:30 p.m. A short time later, Donzell arrived at a local hospital, transported by a private vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
Donzell had moved to Des Moines from Chicago about two years prior, seeking a better path and a brighter future. He was a student at McCombs Middle School and was actively involved in the Brother2Brother program, a mentorship initiative within the Des Moines Public Schools. His former teacher and mentor described him as having leadership qualities and remembered his engaging personality. Those who knew him felt he was on a positive trajectory, making his sudden and violent death all the more tragic for his community and loved ones.
The investigation into Donzell's death led to the identification of several suspects. The day after the shooting, police arrested 28-year-old Javell D. Williams, charging him with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery. Court documents indicated that Williams allegedly drove the shooter and another accomplice to and from the crime scene. Subsequently, a second suspect, 22-year-old Makaveli Depriest Russell, was apprehended in East Hazel Crest, Illinois, and also faced charges of first-degree murder and first-degree robbery.
Authorities also issued a warrant for a third individual, 24-year-old Marcus Qushun Brown, for first-degree robbery. Investigators publicly stated their interest in questioning him in connection with the homicide and warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The motive behind the deadly encounter was tied to a robbery, forever altering the lives of all involved and leaving a painful void in the community that had embraced young Donzell.
