Ashley Marie Hall, 36, Killed in Des Moines Apartment Shooting; Sharneeka Evans, 46, Arrested and Charged with First Degree Murder – DMPD Crimes Against Persons Section Investigates.

A Life Cut Short: Fatal Shooting in Des Moines

DES MOINES, Iowa — A quiet Friday morning in Des Moines was shattered by gunfire, leaving a 36‑year‑old woman dead inside an apartment and a 46‑year‑old woman facing a charge of First Degree Murder. The Des Moines Police Department (DMPD) has identified the victim as Ashley Marie Hall, also of Des Moines, and the suspect as Sharneeka Evans, who was arrested later that same day.

The shooting occurred around 3 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, in the 3200 block of 30th Street – a residential area on the city’s north side. According to police, officers and first responders were dispatched after receiving reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they found Hall deceased inside an apartment. She had suffered at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initially, no arrests were made, and investigators spent the early morning hours interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence. But by Friday afternoon, the DMPD Crimes Against Persons Section announced that Sharneeka Evans, a 46‑year‑old Des Moines resident, had been taken into custody and charged with First Degree Murder, a Class A felony under Iowa law.

According to authorities, evidence indicates that Evans used a pistol to shoot Ashley Marie Hall. Both women, police said, were guests inside the apartment where the shooting occurred – not residents. That detail raises questions about the nature of their relationship, the events leading up to the shooting, and whether others were present.

The investigation remains ongoing, and Des Moines Police have stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The Victim: Ashley Marie Hall, 36

Ashley Marie Hall was a 36‑year‑old woman living in Des Moines. While the police report provides no further personal details, those who knew her have begun to share memories on social media. Friends describe her as a loving mother, a loyal friend, and someone who brought energy and laughter to any room.

“Ashley had a heart as big as anyone I’ve ever known,” wrote one friend on Facebook. “She would give you the shirt off her back. This doesn’t feel real. I can’t believe she’s gone.”

Another acquaintance remembered Hall as a fighter who had overcome personal struggles and was working hard to build a stable life for herself and her family. “She was trying so hard. She had dreams. And now someone took all of that away.”

At just 36, Hall had decades of life ahead of her. Her death leaves behind grieving family members – including, according to unconfirmed social media posts, at least one child. The Des Moines Police Department has not released information about Hall’s next of kin, but victim advocates have been assigned to support her family.

A makeshift memorial of flowers and candles has appeared near the apartment complex on 30th Street, placed by neighbors who did not know Hall personally but feel the weight of a violent death in their community.

The Suspect: Sharneeka Evans, 46, Charged with First Degree Murder

Sharneeka Evans, a 46‑year‑old Des Moines resident, is now in custody facing the most serious criminal charge in Iowa’s legal system. First Degree Murder is a Class A felony, punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole in Iowa. The state does not have the death penalty.

Under Iowa Code § 707.2, a person commits first degree murder when they kill another person with malice aforethought – meaning premeditation or specific intent to kill. The charge can also apply to killings that occur during the commission of a forcible felony such as robbery, kidnapping, or arson. At this stage, police have not disclosed whether the shooting was premeditated or whether it arose from an argument or other circumstances.

What is known is that evidence – including ballistics, witness statements, and possibly forensic evidence – led detectives to charge Evans within roughly 12 hours of the shooting. That speed suggests either a clear eyewitness account, physical evidence linking Evans to the pistol, or a confession.

Evans was booked into the Polk County Jail. An initial court appearance is expected within the next few days, where a judge will formally read the charge, determine whether Evans qualifies for a court‑appointed attorney, and set bail. Given the severity of the charge, it is likely that prosecutors will request no bail or an extremely high amount.

The Scene: 3200 Block of 30th Street, Des Moines

The shooting took place in a residential apartment complex in the 3200 block of 30th Street, an area of north Des Moines that is primarily composed of multi‑family housing units, single‑family homes, and small businesses. The neighborhood is generally quiet, but like any urban area, it is not immune to violence.

Neighbors were awakened by the sound of gunfire around 3 a.m. Several called 911. One neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said: “I heard a loud pop – it sounded like a firework at first. Then I heard a woman screaming. Then more pops. I looked out my window and saw lights come on in the apartment. Then police were everywhere.”

Police cordoned off the area for several hours Friday morning, with crime scene technicians combing the apartment for evidence – shell casings, blood spatter, fingerprints, and any surveillance footage from nearby buildings. The apartment itself is believed to be rented by a third party, as both Hall and Evans were guests. That third person may be a key witness.

By mid‑day, the scene was cleared, but yellow crime scene tape remained visible, a stark reminder of the violence that occurred.

The Investigation: What We Know and What We Don’t

The Des Moines Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons Section is leading the investigation. This unit specializes in homicides, sexual assaults, and other serious violent crimes. Their detectives are trained in forensic interviewing, evidence collection, and case building for prosecution.

As of this writing, authorities have not released:

· The exact relationship between Ashley Hall and Sharneeka Evans (were they friends, acquaintances, or strangers?).
· Who else was present in the apartment at the time of the shooting.
· What led up to the shooting – an argument, a robbery, self‑defense, or something else.
· Whether the pistol used was legally owned or possessed by Evans.
· Whether alcohol or drugs were involved.

Police have only confirmed that both women were guests in the apartment, and that Evans used a pistol to shoot Hall. The motive remains under investigation.

Detectives are likely reviewing cell phone records, interviewing all witnesses multiple times, and waiting for forensic results from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) crime lab. Autopsy results from the State Medical Examiner will also be critical, particularly to determine the number and location of gunshot wounds, which can help establish intent.

Legal Context: First Degree Murder in Iowa

For readers unfamiliar with Iowa’s criminal code, a Class A felony is the most serious category of crime. Other Class A felonies include first‑degree kidnapping and first‑degree arson causing death. The only possible sentence for a Class A felony in Iowa is life imprisonment without parole. There is no possibility of early release, work release, or parole for a first‑degree murder conviction.

However, a charge is not a conviction. Evans is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Her defense attorney – either a public defender or private counsel – may argue that the shooting was accidental, an act of self‑defense, or that the evidence does not support premeditation. If the state cannot prove first‑degree murder, Evans could be convicted of a lesser charge such as second‑degree murder (which carries a sentence of up to 50 years, with parole eligibility) or voluntary manslaughter.

The coming months will involve a preliminary hearing, a grand jury indictment, and then a trial – unless Evans chooses to plead guilty. Given the seriousness of the charge, a trial could be a year or more away.

Community Reaction: Grief, Shock, and Calls for Justice

News of the shooting spread quickly through Des Moines’ social media and neighborhood groups. Many expressed shock that such violence occurred in a residential area in the early morning hours. Others focused their grief on Ashley Hall.

“Another woman gone too soon because someone picked up a gun,” wrote one Twitter user. “When will this end?”

Local domestic violence advocacy groups have also taken note. While police have not classified the shooting as domestic violence, the fact that two women who knew each other were involved in a fatal shooting raises questions about conflict resolution and access to firearms. The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence issued a general statement: “Every time a woman is killed by someone she knows, it’s a tragedy that could have been prevented. We urge anyone in an unsafe situation to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline.”

The Des Moines Police Department has not indicated whether Evans and Hall had a prior relationship, or whether there was a history of domestic incidents between them.

The Broader Context: Gun Violence in Des Moines

Des Moines, like many mid‑sized American cities, has experienced fluctuations in violent crime in recent years. According to DMPD data, homicides in the city have ranged from the high teens to low twenties annually. While most homicides are solved – the department’s clearance rate is above the national average – each death represents a family shattered and a community traumatized.

The shooting of Ashley Hall is particularly troubling because it occurred inside a home (or apartment) – a place that should feel safe. Nationwide, the majority of homicides involving women occur in residential settings, often perpetrated by someone they know.

Mayor Connie Boesen, who was not directly quoted in the original release, has previously spoken about the need for community‑based violence intervention programs. In response to this incident, her office issued a brief statement: “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Ashley Marie Hall. We trust the Des Moines Police Department to conduct a thorough investigation and bring justice.”

How to Support the Victim’s Family

As the community mourns, many have asked how they can help. The family of Ashley Hall has not yet publicly announced funeral arrangements or memorial funds. However, victim support organizations in Des Moines can provide assistance:

· Iowa Victim Service Call Center – 1-800-770-1650 (24/7 support for crime victims and their families)
· Polk County Victim Services – Offers counseling, advocacy, and financial assistance for funeral expenses.

Friends of Hall are reportedly considering a GoFundMe campaign to help cover burial costs. Once verified, the link will likely be shared on local social media pages.

Those wishing to express condolences can send cards to the Des Moines Police Department’s Victim Services Unit, which will forward them to the family.

A Final Word: Rest in Peace, Ashley Marie Hall

Ashley Marie Hall was more than a name in a police report. She was a daughter, a mother, a friend, and a woman with dreams for the future. Her life was cut short by an act of violence that should never have happened. As the legal process moves forward, those who loved her are left with an absence that can never be filled.

To the family and friends of Ashley Hall: You are not alone. Des Moines grieves with you.

To Sharneeka Evans: The legal system will now determine accountability.

And to the wider community: Let this tragedy remind us of the preciousness of life, and the urgent need to resolve conflicts without violence.

Rest in peace, Ashley Marie Hall. You will not be forgotten.

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Ongoing Coverage

This is a developing story. The Des Moines Police Department has promised additional information as the investigation continues. Updates will include:

· The results of the autopsy.
· The initial court appearance of Sharneeka Evans.
· Any additional charges or arrests.
· Funeral arrangements for Ashley Hall.

For the latest, follow the Des Moines Police Department’s official social media channels or check local news outlets such as KCCI, WHO‑TV, and the Des Moines Register.

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If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship or fears for their safety, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Help is available 24/7, free and confidential.

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Ashley Marie Hall. 1989 – April 10, 2026. Loved. Missed. Never forgotten.