Des Moines woke up to tragedy on March 22 when 45‑year‑old Daniel Lott Sr. was found shot inside an apartment on the city’s north side. Police were called just after 4 a.m. to the 3600 block of Kennedy Drive after someone reported a shooting. When first responders arrived, they found Lott inside suffering from gunshot wounds. Medics tried lifesaving measures right there in the unit but Lott didn’t make it. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers say Lott and another person who knew each other got into a heated argument before shots were fired. The other person left before police showed up, and so far no one’s been arrested. Detectives are still piecing together the details of what led to the dispute turning deadly. Neighbors along Kennedy Drive were told there’s no ongoing threat to the area even as investigators work to identify and locate the suspected shooter.
Friends and family remember Lott as someone with deep roots in the community. People who knew him were shaken to hear how early Sunday morning turned into a loss they weren’t expecting. Many said he was a familiar face on the north side, someone who liked to talk to folks he passed on the street or at local shops. That sudden absence has left a hole that won’t easily be filled.
Police continue to ask anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. They stressed that even small details can help them figure out exactly what happened and why. Community members, meanwhile, have been left with questions and a sense of unease after seeing a life end so close to home.
