Four shot, two dead in Fort Dodge Tuesday morning

FORT DODGE – Four people were shot – two of them fatally – in Fort Dodge Tuesday morning, police say.

At approximately 4:45 AM this morning, the Webster County Telecommunications Center received a call of an individual that was shot in the 900 block of 10th Ave Southwest. Information provided indicated that multiple shots had been fired in the area and several subjects were struck. Both the Fort Dodge Police and Fire Department responded to the scene.

When officers arrived on scene, they located one unresponsive male lying in the roadway of the 900 block of 10th Ave Southwest. Officers began life‐saving efforts on the male before medics arrived, but the male was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. Two females were also struck by gunfire, one of which was in stable condition and the other was treated and released later this morning.

A short time later, a single‐vehicle accident was discovered at the intersection of South 15th Street and 6th Avenue South. Upon investigation, it was immediately discovered that the male driver had sustained a gunshot wound and lost consciousness while operating the vehicle. Again, medical

efforts were attempted but the male was pronounced dead at the scene. It is believed this male was initially struck by gunfire in the area of the 900 block of 10th Avenue Southwest and fled the area.

In total, four (4) individuals were struck by gunfire. A 25‐year‐old male and 47‐year‐old male are deceased. A 21‐year‐old female is in stable condition and a 30‐year‐old female was treated and released this morning.

The preliminary investigation indicates there was a volley of shots being fired between at least two individuals when the victims were struck. We are still working to determine what involvement, if any, the victims had in the shooting or if they were simply bystanders.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations has been called in to assist as well as the Department of Criminal Investigation’s Crime Scene Technicians. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the Police Department. The Fort Dodge Police Department was assisted on scene by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Dodge Fire Department, and the Iowa State Patrol.

UPDATE:

Investigators with the Fort Dodge Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, alongside agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation have continued working on this incident throughout the day. Investigators are still working to solidify the timeline of events that led up to the shooting.

The victims in this case have been identified as the following:

25‐year‐old Jamael Cox of Fort Dodge, IA (deceased)
– Mr. Cox was located in the 900 Block of 10th Avenue Southwest with a gunshot wound to the upper torso and ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.

47‐year‐old Tyrone Cunningham of Fort Dodge, IA (deceased)
– Mr. Cunningham was in the area of the 900 Block of 10th Avenue Southwest at the time of the shooting and was struck by gunfire in his lower extremities before leaving the area in his vehicle. Mr. Cunningham fled the area before losing consciousness and crashing his vehicle in the intersection of South 15th Street and 6th Avenue South. Mr. Cunningham was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

21‐year‐old Marissa Andrews of Fort Dodge, IA
– Ms. Andrews was nearby when the shooting occurred and was struck by gunfire in the face and leg. She was transported to Unity Point – Trinity Regional Medical Center in stable condition before being transferred to a Des Moines area hospital for further treatment of her injuries.

30‐year‐old Jayne Bartrom of Wesley, IA
– Ms. Bartrom was nearby when she was struck in the lower leg by gunfire during the incident. She was transported to Unity Point – Trinity Regional Medical Center where she was treated and released.
At this stage of the investigation, all victims appear to have been bystanders while other individuals were firing at one another. It is unfortunate that individuals chose to act out in such a violent manner, taking the lives of two individuals enjoying time together. We strongly encourage those who have information to contact the police department to ensure those responsible are held accountable as quickly as possible.