Five people charged with murder in Fort Dodge double homicide

FORT DODGE – Five people are now charged with murder in a Fort Dodge double homicide that took place this past summer.

At approximately 4:45 AM on June 16, 2020, 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 and a 30‐year‐old female were hospitalized.

Throughout the course of the last five months, law enforcement from multiple agencies have been working diligently to bring resolution to the double homicide that occurred in Fort Dodge on June 16, 2020. The investigation spanned multiple jurisdictions requiring resources from agencies throughout the region and state working together, ensuring those responsible for this crime would be held accountable. We have been fortunate enough to have an excellent partnership with both regional and state law enforcement, which allowed resources to be directed toward this investigation that would otherwise not be possible.

Over the course of the investigation, it was determined that numerous individuals were involved in the double homicide that left two individuals deceased, and two others injured. This determination was established by those individuals willing to give statements on what occurred, and physical evidence
collected throughout the investigation. This information was essential to the progress achieved over the last several months.

As a result of the investigation to this point, the following five (5) individuals have been charged with two counts of Murder in the Second Degree (B Felony), four (4) of which face an additional charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm (D Felony), as a result of their involvement in this incident:

• Michael J. Shivers, 55 years old from Eagle Grove
• James C. Davis, Jr., 35 years old from Fort Dodge
• Michael J. Wells, 33 years old from Fort Dodge
• Darrell L. Jones, 23 years old from Fort Dodge
• Jeremiha R. Hatten, 22 years old from Fort Dodge (Murder 2nd Degree charge only)

Shivers, Davis, and Jones are currently in custody and are being held in the Webster County Jail on a cash only bond of $505,000 after making their initial appearance in Webster County Magistrate Court this morning. Wells and Hatten are still at large and have outstanding warrants for their arrest. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr. Wells or Mr. Hatten is encouraged to contact law enforcement.

The Fort Dodge Police Department is continuing to investigate this incident and encourage anyone with information to contact police. As mentioned above, this investigation has encompassed many agencies throughout the area. The Fort Dodge Police Department has been assisted in this investigation by the following agencies:

• Fort Dodge Fire Department
• Webster County Sheriff’s Office
• Webster County Medical Examiner’s Office
• Webster County Attorney’s Office
• Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
• Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Criminalistics Laboratory and Crime Scene Unit
• Iowa State Patrol
• Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team
• Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner
• Iowa Office of the Attorney General
• Sac County Sheriff’s Office
• Ida County Sheriff’s Office