De’Tavion Marques Levi Obituary, Death – An arrest has been made following a deadly shooting at the Lumberyard in Polk County that claimed the life of a young man early Saturday morning. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest and released new details about the incident, which remains under active investigation.
According to officials, deputies were dispatched to the Lumberyard, a business located at 1504 NE 54th Avenue, after receiving reports of gunfire around 3:41 a.m. on September 13. When law enforcement and emergency crews arrived at the scene, they discovered an adult male lying in the parking lot. Sadly, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities immediately secured the area and began collecting evidence while interviewing witnesses who were present at the time of the shooting. Detectives worked quickly to identify a suspect, and within hours, an arrest was made.
By Saturday afternoon, just before 2 p.m., the Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 30-year-old Derico Darrell Lowery. He was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail. Lowery now faces serious charges, including Murder in the First Degree and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. These charges reflect both the severity of the shooting and Lowery’s status as a convicted felon who was not legally allowed to carry a firearm.
On Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office released the name of the victim, identifying him as 28-year-old De’Tavion Marques Levi of Des Moines, Iowa. Authorities have not yet shared whether Levi and Lowery knew each other prior to the shooting or what circumstances may have led to the fatal confrontation.
The Sheriff’s Office has not provided additional details about the motive, but investigators are continuing to gather evidence and review witness statements. Shootings in nightlife or entertainment areas often draw significant attention, as they typically involve multiple witnesses and sometimes surveillance footage that can aid in the investigation.
The death of Levi has left family members and the wider Des Moines community in mourning. At just 28 years old, his life was cut short in a sudden act of violence. Friends and relatives are now left searching for answers as law enforcement works to determine what sparked the deadly incident.
Lowery’s arrest brings a measure of progress in the case, though the legal process is only beginning. He will face court proceedings where prosecutors will present the charges of first-degree murder, a crime that carries the possibility of life imprisonment in Iowa. The additional charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm underscores the broader issue of gun violence and the dangers posed when firearms end up in the hands of individuals prohibited from owning them.
As the investigation continues, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has not indicated whether further arrests are expected. For now, the community is left reeling from the loss of Levi and the violence that unfolded outside the Lumberyard.
