On the evening of April 2, 2014, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace of a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, home, tragically ending the life of 22-year-old Quintrell Perkins, a Black/African American male. Perkins and a friend, 20-year-old Sierrah Simmons, were inside the living room of Perkins's father's house when an assailant opened fire from outside. Both Perkins and Simmons were struck by the bullets and succumbed to their injuries at the scene.
At the time of the shooting, Perkins's girlfriend, another woman, and a child were also in the room but were unharmed.
The ensuing investigation into the double homicide led authorities to Kendu Petties. Prosecutors asserted that Petties was the gunman who fired into the home, targeting individuals within. The motive for the shooting was believed to be retaliation for a prior altercation. Witnesses reported hearing a series of "pops" and seeing flashes from a side window of the house. Responding police officers discovered bullet holes in the exterior of the residence and shell casings on the ground outside.
Ultimately, Kendu Petties was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy. During his trial, Petties maintained his innocence, claiming he was not in Cedar Rapids on the day of the killings. However, a Linn County jury found him guilty on all charges. Each conviction for first-degree murder carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
