AMES – A wanted Fort Dodge fugitive accused earlier of a swath of serious crimes evaded authorities long enough to allegedly stab a woman and child to death late Friday night.
According to police in Ames, at approximately 8:42 PM on Friday, March 13, 2026, officers were dispatched to 3917 Tripp Street in Ames for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located an adult female and a young child suffering from numerous stab wounds. Both victims were treated by officers and medical staff but ultimately were pronounced deceased.
The names of the victims are being withheld pending notification to the next of kin, police say.
Officers located the suspect nearby and placed him under arrest. Davontrez R. McCuddin of Fort Dodge, Iowa, has been charged with two counts of murder in the first degree, a class “A” felony.
There does not appear to be an ongoing threat to the public, Ames police say, and the case remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Reports state that McCuddin (pictured at top) was wanted for an attempted murder in Fort Dodge, and has committed crimes across the state in what appears to be an escalating fashion. On January 4, 2026, McCuddin allegedly shot 36-year-old Demontray Dungy multiple times at a residence in Fort Dodge. He’s been wanted ever since then.