Dennis Morris Hawkins Jr., 29, was shot and killed in Des Moines’ Court Avenue Entertainment District shortly after 2 a.m. on September 15, 2024. Officers on patrol heard gunfire and found a chaotic scene on the 200 block of Water Street where three men had been shot. Hawkins Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other men were taken to local hospitals in critical condition. One, later identified as 34-year-old Oscar Matthew Marquez Jr., later died of his injuries; the third, also 29, was eventually released. Investigators recovered three firearms and say witness statements and scene evidence point to a verbal argument among the three men that escalated to gunfire. Authorities reported no indication that anyone else was involved, so there are no outstanding suspects and no arrests have been announced.

If anyone was in the Court Avenue area that night or saw what happened on Water Street, please share information with the Des Moines Police Department.