A dispute over a pair of shoes ended in gunfire in broad daylight on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Thirty-year-old Israel Mattocks, a shoe reseller, was shot and killed at about 11:44 a.m. in the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue NE, in the East River Park Shopping Center just outside a Shoe City store.

Mattocks had asked another man, identified as Darius Anderson, for help buying shoes earlier that morning. After an initial argument the two separated but then crossed paths again at a nearby Downtown Locker Room, where they argued a second time. Mattocks returned to Shoe City; Anderson went home and later returned to the shopping center and waited. As Mattocks exited the store, Anderson opened fire, striking him multiple times. Responding officers found Mattocks unresponsive; he was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy reported at least six gunshot wounds to his arms, chest, and neck, and police recovered a weapon at the scene.

If anyone was in the East River Park Shopping Center that morning or has information about what led to the confrontation, please come forward.