A dispute on Des Moines’ east side turned deadly shortly after 12:15 a.m. on July 2, 2025, when 35-year-old Percy Butler, a Black / African American man, was shot at 3600 Kennedy Drive. Officers arriving on scene found Butler with a serious gunshot wound; they administered first aid until paramedics transported him to a local hospital, where he died despite lifesaving efforts.

Investigators say evidence showed the shooting was a directed incident that began with an argument between Butler and another man. Police reported there was no ongoing danger to the neighborhood and that a person of interest was identified quickly. Later that day, 31-year-old Tywone Morrow of Des Moines was located on the west side of the city, taken into custody while in a vehicle, and charged with first-degree murder, assault on a police officer, and providing false identification information. An unrelated active warrant for violating a no-contact order was also found; Morrow was being held at the Polk County Jail as the investigation continued.

If anyone witnessed the argument near Kennedy Drive or has information about what led to the shooting, please share what is known.