DES MOINES – Two men face first-degree murder charges in the brutal beating and hijacking of an Iowa man back in 2013 after the man’s death this year.
Des Moines police say that in January of 2013, Mike Wasike was pulled from his car, robbed at gunpoint, and severely beaten. According to a Gofundme page set up in his behalf, Mike Wasike was “a God-fearing, legal immigrant from Kenya, was living in Des Moines and working two jobs to make his ‘American dream’ come true for him and his family. Then on a cold and snowy day last February, Mike stopped to offer assistance to three teenagers he thought needed his help. Those same teenagers ruthlessly attacked Mike in a car-jacking attempt. Mike was nearly beaten to death.”
Des Moines police say that in April 2013, Leshaun Michael Murray and Terrance Lamont Cheeks, both 15-years-old at the time, were taken into custody for this crime. Both were later convicted of Robbery – 1st Degree. They have been incarcerated since that time.
Mr. Wasike sustained serious injuries and was disabled as a result of the beating he endured. On January 22, 2018, Mr. Wasike died as a result of his injuries.
A cooperative effort between Des Moines Police Department detectives and the Polk County Attorneys Office has resulted in both Leshaun Murray and Terrance Cheeks being charged with Murder – 1st Degree.
The Polk County Attorneys Office will handle this case as we move forward with seeking justice for the Wasike family.
