Percy Butler

An argument in a Des Moines parking lot in the early hours of July 2, 2025, ended in the shooting death of Percy Butler, a 35-year-old Black/African American man. Just after 12:15 a.m., witnesses near an apartment building at 3600 Kennedy Drive called 911 to report hearing multiple gunshots and seeing a person on the ground. Des Moines police officers arrived to find Mr. Butler with serious gunshot wounds to his chest and back.

Officers administered first aid until paramedics arrived and transported Mr. Butler to a local hospital. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. The investigation revealed the shooting was not a random act but stemmed from a dispute between Mr. Butler and another man. At the subsequent sentencing, family members shared the depth of their loss. Mr. Butler’s 11-year-old daughter wrote in a statement about their shared dream of one day opening a business together. "It made me happy to think about working with him and spending time together like that," she wrote. "Now that will never happen, and that makes me really sad."

Later on the day of the shooting, police located and arrested 31-year-old Tywone Donte Morrow on the city's west side. Authorities reported that while being taken into custody, Morrow spat in a detective's face. He was initially charged with first-degree murder and assault on a police officer.

In February 2026, Morrow pleaded guilty to the charges of second-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm as part of a plea agreement. At his sentencing on March 12, 2026, Mr. Butler's mother, Daphne Butler, addressed Morrow directly. She said her son died because Morrow "could not walk away" from their argument. "I pray you reflect on the impact of your actions," she told him, "and may God have mercy on your soul."

The judge sentenced Morrow to up to 50 years in prison. Under the terms of the sentence, he must serve a mandatory minimum of 35 years before he is eligible for parole. Morrow was also ordered to pay $150,000 to Percy Butler's estate. The case was officially closed with the sentencing in March 2026.