DES MOINES, Iowa — On Sunday, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office identified the shooting victim from a community event as 46-year-old Michael Carter Jr.
Attendees and organizers alike say the event, Biggz Big World, started out just like normal with people of all ages enjoying local hip-hop artists. That is until gunshots rang out.
Balloons and bouquets of flowers sit at Union Labor Park, where the festival was held, in honor of Carter.
“That poor situation had nothing to do with the event at all,” Biggz Big World organizer Deandre Dreamer said. “My condolences go out to the family.”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating Carter's death as a homicide.
“I'm just mad that the event was just ruined for so many people, from the grandmas that came out to the kids that were having a good time,” Dreamer said.
Biggz Big World was meant to raise awareness for mental health.
In addition to local hip-hop artists, the event featured vendors as well as a speech from community leader Rob Johnson, who left just before the shooting.
“When I heard about it, I was like, ‘Man, this happened at the event,’” Johnson said. “The tragedy was an opportunity for people to know that we have to really start taking this mental health conversation very seriously.”
A mobile crisis response team member from the nonprofit FOCUSS tried their best to perform CPR on Carter, but he died from his injuries.
“When those incidents happen, everyone is affected,” FOCUSS CEO Darnell Loatman said. “You have little kids out here, adults, grandparents. Everyone’s going to be affected by this.”
No suspect has been identified by authorities yet. Anyone with additional information is being asked to reach out to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 515-286-3333.