DES MOINES, Iowa — Two men are dead after a downtown Des Moines shooting Sunday morning.
After hearing gunfire, officers, assigned to Court Avenue Entertainment District, responded to the area of Court Avenue and Water around 2:06 a.m.
Police found three men with gunshot injuries in the 200 block of Water Street, according to a DMPD news release.
A 29-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. The two other men were transported to local hospitals in critical condition. One of those men, 34, later died from his injuries.
This was the city's ninth and 11th homicide of 2024.
Three firearms were recovered at the scene, according to Des Moines police.
Witnesses told officials that there was a verbal argument between the three men, followed by gunfire. Police said at this time it's unclear if the three men knew each other and what the argument was over.
People who frequent Court Avenue said it’s troubling knowing the shooting happened by busy bars, just after they closed for the night.
“Des Moines is crazy," Des Moines resident Aaliyah Williams said. "I never expected Iowa to be like this, but it’s crazy to me.”
People who work at businesses in the area said they will be watching their backs more.
"I have to really be careful after my shifts because anything can happen," Des Moines resident Celestial Galvan said.
Court Avenue workers also plan on taking extra safety precautions after night shifts.
“I like to text when I’m leaving work, just so they know what’s happening and if I don’t respond I have someone to look after me," Galvan said.
DMPD continues to investigate the shooting. There is no indication of any outstanding suspects.
A second un-related shooting left one man died Sunday morning. This was the city's 10th homicide of the year.
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