Photo of memorial for Abraham Logan on the west side of Marine View Drive near S. 223rd Street by Scott Schaefer.
Des Moines is adding weekend police patrols and focusing officers on downtown streets between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. after two shootings over the past month, including one that killed Abraham Logan, according to a safety update from the city manager.
The city is funding overtime for additional patrols on Friday and Saturday nights, while police work with state regulators on liquor license compliance and contact businesses about problems late at night. More officers are also available downtown as summer activity in Redondo winds down, according to the update.
“Two shootings in downtown Des Moines over the past month have shaken many residents, especially neighbors who live near Marine View Drive,” City Manager Katherine Caffrey wrote. “We share that concern, and we take it seriously.”
Two people have been arrested and booked for investigation of homicide and weapons charges in connection with Logan’s Sept. 20 shooting death, according to the update.
Des Moines detectives collected evidence, conducted interviews and obtained search warrants to identify the suspects. They then worked with the U.S. Marshals Service, Washington State Department of Corrections and Valley SWAT to locate and arrest both people.
The second shooting was unrelated, Caffrey said. Officers arrived within about a minute of the call, and the man who was shot survived. That investigation remains active.
Police are partnering with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board on compliance checks and undercover operations focused on alcohol service rules, including overservice, according to the update.
Officers have also contacted downtown businesses open late at night to address behavior problems, including people gathering in cars after closing.
“These steps target the hours when problems have occurred, and we will keep watching whether they’re working and adjust if they’re not,” Caffrey wrote.
The city urged anyone who sees something concerning to call 911.
