Two men have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old man in Des Moines last month, an incident that occurred after the victim had attended a birthday party in Federal Way earlier that day. Abraham Logan, 31, was shot and killed on September 20 in downtown Des Moines, off Marine View Drive South, after reportedly attempting to intervene in a fight. Court documents identify the charged individuals as Derrick Stell Jr., 29, and Keenan Stell, 43, who are uncle and nephew. They face charges of first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with Logan's death.
According to court documents, Logan and his family had been at a birthday party in Federal Way earlier on September 20. Following the party, they went to the Waterland Arcade in Des Moines for another birthday celebration. The family remained at the arcade until approximately 8 p.m. before heading across the street to Jamar’s Bar for dinner.
Later that night, as Logan and his family were leaving Jamar’s Bar, they passed by the All-Star Bar. There, they observed three men reportedly beating someone in front of the establishment. Court documents state that Logan attempted to verbally break up this fight. His wife reportedly heard him shout, “He’s got a gun!” shortly before seeing him run away.
Court documents indicate that two men then chased Logan, firing at him. Surveillance footage from the area reportedly corroborates the family's account, showing two men approaching Logan and firing from different directions. Logan was pronounced dead at the scene. Court documents confirm that he was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Detectives subsequently identified Derrick Stell Jr. and Keenan Stell as the suspects in the shooting. Both men have been charged with first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement and unlawful possession of a firearm. Their arraignment is scheduled for October 22.
Prosecutors have emphasized the violent nature of the alleged crime in court documents. They argued that the act of killing someone for simply calling out bad behavior demonstrates an “extreme capacity to inflict injury and death on others with no consideration of the human cost.” Based on the crime's violent nature, prosecutors stated that the defendants pose a clear danger to the public.
Specifically concerning Derrick Stell Jr., prosecutors requested he be held on no bail. This request is based on his history of prior convictions, which include three “Most Serious Offenses,” a classification also referred to as the “Three Strikes Rule.” Court documents detail that Stell Jr. has been convicted twice for first-degree robbery and once for second-degree assault. Prosecutors indicate that the current murder charge, or a lesser degree like second-degree murder or manslaughter, would constitute his “Third Strike.”
Regarding the risk posed by Derrick Stell Jr., prosecutors stated that the “allegation of the defendant gunning down an innocent, unarmed victim on a populated city street” indicates a substantial likelihood of danger to the community or any person. They also noted that as a “Three Strike candidate,” Stell Jr. is considered a considerable flight risk. For Keenan Stell, prosecutors have requested bail be set at $3 million.
