Charles Lamont Markese Russian-Lovelady, known to family as Charles or Chuckie, was a 22-year-old Black man killed during what investigators described as a planned robbery in Des Moines on July 31, 2022. Born June 17, 2000, he grew up in Des Moines, graduated from East High School, ran a lawn-care business, and left behind a young son, a girlfriend and an extended family. He had been active in athletics, music and acrobatics and once performed with the Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps in front of Barack Obama.

Police say the meeting that led to his death began as an arranged marijuana transaction organized via social media by Violet Marie Terry. Investigators reported electronic communications and witness identifications that allegedly showed Terry, Darion Shawn Hermes and Cedrick Charles Thomas Jr. planned to rob him. Charles was shot on the 1300 block of 12th Street and taken to Broadlawns Medical Center around 6:15 p.m., where he later died. Officers recovered two firearms at the scene and described the killing as a targeted, drug-related robbery; it was Des Moines’ 11th homicide of 2022.

Hermes and Terry were arrested in early August 2022 and Thomas was located and taken into custody later that month. A visitation for Charles was held August 8, 2022, with a celebration of life the following morning and burial at Glendale Cemetery. If anyone knew Charles or has information about the robbery and shooting, please share what is known.