DES MOINES — If you’re heading to Iowa’s capital city for dinner or a night out, a shooting in the Court Avenue entertainment district offers a sobering reminder that gunfire can erupt where people gather to socialize. A fight just before midnight Saturday, October 24, left a 20-year-old man wounded, sent officers chasing suspects through downtown and ended with four people in custody, police said.
During one pursuit, an officer fired at a suspect allegedly armed with a handgun. No one was injured by the officer’s gunfire, and police recovered three handguns during the investigation.
The incident began near Fourth Street and Court Avenue. Officers saw a physical fight and were approaching to intervene when they heard gunfire, according to Des Moines Police Department spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek.
The wounded man suffered a gunshot injury to the leg. He was transported to UnityPoint–Methodist Medical Center with an injury police described as not life-threatening.
Two teenagers detained as officers pursue other suspects
Officers quickly detained a 17-year-old male who allegedly fired the shot, police said.
A second teenager, a 15-year-old male allegedly armed with a handgun, ran from officers. He was taken into custody without incident a short distance away.
Two additional suspects fled on foot with an officer pursuing them. Near Fourth and Locust streets, the officer fired his handgun at one of the suspects, whom police described as armed with a handgun.
Aurtorrio Anderson and Dakota Peterson, both 23, surrendered and were taken into custody. Police recovered a handgun following that pursuit.
Felony charges announced
Detectives said they are filing the following charges:
- 17-year-old male: Willful injury causing serious injury, a Class C felony; going armed with intent, a Class D felony; and minor armed with a dangerous weapon, a serious misdemeanor.
- 15-year-old male: Possession with intent to deliver marijuana, a Class D felony; interference with official acts with a firearm, a Class D felony; and minor armed with a dangerous weapon, a serious misdemeanor.
- Aurtorrio Anderson, 23: Interference with official acts with a firearm, a Class D felony.
- Dakota Peterson, 23: Interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor.
Police did not release the teenagers’ names. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Officer placed on administrative assignment
The officer who fired his handgun has been placed on administrative assignment. Police described that step as standard protocol for employees who experience a significant critical or traumatic incident while on duty.
The release did not identify the officer or specify which of the two adult suspects he fired at.
NIT has previously covered violence in the entertainment district, including a 2022 report involving a separate Court Avenue shooting and an arrest in an earlier homicide investigation.
Des Moines Police Department Crimes Against Persons Section detectives continue to investigate. Additional information will be released as it becomes available, police said.