On the morning of Sunday, September 15, 2024, 24-year-old Rayjon Ray of Des Moines was shot and later died at a hospital. The shooting occurred after an after-hours gathering in the parking lot of a convenience store in the River Bend neighborhood, where multiple arguments broke out and one dispute became a physical fight. Police say Rayjon intervened and struck a 25-year-old man, identified as Kyonta Taylor, who then produced a gun and shot Rayjon.

After being wounded, Rayjon got into his vehicle and attempted to leave but crashed into a retaining wall at the intersection of Second and University avenues. Emergency crews found him at about 5:30 a.m.; he was transported to a local hospital and did not survive. Investigators reviewed evidence including security surveillance video and the following day arrested Kyonta Taylor, who was booked into the Polk County Jail on charges including voluntary manslaughter and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Anyone who witnessed the gathering in the River Bend parking lot that night or has information about the confrontation is asked to come forward.