On 28 July 2017, at approximately 3:08 p.m., Des Moines Police Department patrol officers and Des Moines Fire Department rescue personnel responded to the 1800 block of Oakland Avenue to investigate a report of a shooting.
The first officers to arrive on the scene found an adult male victim suffering from a gunshot injury. Des Moines Fire Department paramedics transported the victim to Mercy Hospital. That person has since died.
Witnesses in the neighborhood provided police with suspect and suspect vehicle information. At approximately 3:12 p.m., Des Moines Police Department patrol officers spotted a vehicle matching the description. A short vehicle pursuit began, ending when the suspect vehicle crashed in the 4100 block of 7th Place.
Two suspects ran from the crashed vehicle. A secure perimeter was established and a K-9 track began. Within three minutes, one suspect was in custody. The second suspect was taken into custody approximately fifteen minutes later. 19 year old Des Moines resident Miguel Angel Lorenzo-Baltazar and 22 year old Des Moines resident Anthony Garcia have both been charged with Murder – 1 st Degree. Additional charges may follow. Both men are pictured above.
The victim in this case, shown below, has been identified as 23 year old Des Moines resident Jeffrey Sifrido Mercado. Des Moines Police Department detectives continue to investigate this crime.