On Friday, October 29, 2021, 23-year-old Stashaun Durell Lee Brown of Des Moines was fatally shot during a Halloween party outside the Elks Lodge at 522 Douglas Avenue in Ames, Iowa. Officers responded just before midnight after receiving reports of multiple gunshots. When they arrived, they located Brown in the adjacent parking lot with a gunshot wound to the chest.
According to Ames police, the shooting occurred after multiple groups attending a private party exchanged gunfire. Approximately 100 people were gathered outside the lodge at the time. No other injuries were reported. Brown was transported to Mary Greeley Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators believe a fight that began outside the lodge escalated into gunfire. Cmdr. Jason Tuttle told the Des Moines Register that multiple individuals fired weapons, and by the time police arrived, several people had already fled the scene. The Ames Tribune reported on November 1, 2021, that Brown, 23, was found with a gunshot wound as officers attempted to secure the chaotic scene.
Several agencies assisted with the investigation, including the Story County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, and the Iowa State University Police Department. Douglas Avenue—between the Elks Lodge and the Ames Public Library—was blocked off the following morning as officers continued their investigation. While the library remained open, visitors were redirected to use the north entrance. Cmdr. Tuttle noted that investigators received little cooperation from witnesses, with many stating they “didn’t see anything” or declining to provide information.
Authorities believe an altercation near the lodge’s entry doors led to the fatal shooting. “We think it started out as a physical altercation and then turned into multiple people pulling out guns and firing at each other,” Tuttle said.
No arrests have been made in connection with the case, and no suspects have been publicly identified. Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa is offering a $1,000 reward for information that helps solve the case. Tips can be submitted to the Ames Police Department at (515) 239-5133, the anonymous line at (515) 239-5533, or to Crime Stoppers at (515) 223-1400 or online.
About Stashaun Brown
Stashaun Durell Lee Brown was born on August 16, 1998. He passed away on October 30, 2021. A public visitation was held on November 8, 2021, at Henderson’s Highland Park Funeral Home, followed by funeral services the same afternoon. He was laid to rest at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa.
