In the late hours of a Sunday in Des Moines, Iowa, on December 27, 2015, the life of Tacono Conner, a 36-year-old Black / African American male, was tragically cut short. Police were called to an apartment building at 5201 S. Union Street just before 11 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Inside, they discovered Conner in a second-floor hallway, having been fatally shot.
Another individual, 37-year-old Ami Stolki, was also found in the hallway with gunshot wounds but was expected to survive her injuries.
Conner's death marked the city's 21st homicide of the year. He was a husband and a father to seven children, four boys and three girls. His wife, Misty, described him as a great husband. His passing left a void in the lives of his family, who were left waiting for answers as the police investigation commenced.
Detectives began speaking with witnesses and quickly identified a person of interest. Their investigation led them to Alf Freddie Clark, a 63-year-old Des Moines resident. A material witness warrant was issued for Clark, who then fled the state. For a time, authorities received reliable information that Clark had returned to Des Moines and was frequenting the south side of the city, reportedly driving a small, red-colored pickup truck. It was also believed that he was disguising himself as a woman in an attempt to evade capture.
The manhunt for Clark eventually came to an end when he was located and apprehended in Tucson, Arizona, by the United States Marshall's Service. Following his arrest, Clark was charged with murder in the first degree for the shooting death of Tacono Conner. Plans were made for his extradition back to Des Moines to face the charges.
