Des Moines teen arrested for murder of Kent man

Des Moines Police arrested a 15-year-old boy on Monday for investigation of second-degree murder for shooting a 41-year-old Kent man on May 6 at a Des Moines apartment complex.

Des Moines Police arrested a 15-year-old boy on Monday for investigation of second-degree murder for shooting a 41-year-old Kent man on May 6 at a Des Moines apartment complex.

A motive for the murder hasn’t been determined but detectives believe there was some sort of confrontation between the victim and two teens prior to the shooting, according to a Des Moines Police media release.

The shooting occurred at about 6:30 p.m. in the 22800 block of 30th Avenue South. Carl Phelps Jr. died from a gunshot wound to the body, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Agents from the Seattle office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms assisted Des Moines Police with the arrest of two teenage boys from Des Moines. Police arrested the 15-year-old for murder as well as investigation of theft of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and first-degree burglary. Officers arrested a 14-year-old boy for investigation of first-degree burglary and possession of a stolen firearm.

Detectives recovered the firearm reportedly used in the shooting. The firearm had been reported stolen to Des Moines Police during a residential burglary.

Phelps does not have any connection to the apartment complex where he was killed. The two boys do not live at the apartments but apparently were visiting friends at the complex.

Both boys were arrested in Des Moines and are being held at the Juvenile Detention Center at the King County Youth Center in Seattle.

 


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent-based Toys for Joy program provides for 1,500 children

Puget Sound Fire collects more than 6,000 toys and stocking stuffers from community donations

t
Kent man, 34, shot and injured at sports bar on East Hill

Early Sunday morning, Dec. 22 at 25626 102nd Place SE

t
Kent Police Detective Ford retires after 29 years with department

Helped solve 44-year-old cold case murder in 2024

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97