Des Moines man arrested on murder charge after gunshot victim dies at hospital

Police have charged a 21-year-old Des Moines man with murder in relation to a Sunday gunshot death.

The victim, identified Monday as 22-year-old Charles Lamont Russian Lovelady, arrived at a hospital Sunday evening with a gunshot injury and later died, Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said in a written statement.

Russian Lovelady walked into Broadlawns Medical Center, on Hickman Rd. in Des Moines around 6:15 p.m., according to Parizek, and later died from the injury.

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Investigators recovered two firearms at possible crime scene on the 1300-block of 12th Street in Des Moines and that one of those contained ammunition "consistent" with a fired shell casing recovered there, Parizek said.

On Monday, they arrested Darion Shawn Hermes and charged him with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and possession of a firearm as a felon, Parizek said.

According to Parizek, Hermes and second person were involved in a drug-related robbery plan that led to Russian Lovelady's death.

Parizek said witnesses, text messages and social media messages corroborated the robbery plan.

Police did not specify whether they are seeking an additional suspect, the details of the robbery plan or how it was connected to Russian Lovelady, but Parizek said the investigation is ongoing.

This is the city's 11th homicide of 2022.

Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at @francescablock3.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Man dies of gunshot injury in Iowa; police make arrest for murder