Victim dies in the hospital several days after targeted shooting, one charged with murder
The 22-year-old victim in a shooting last week died in the hospital from his injuries, prompting police to upgrade the charges against his alleged shooter to first-degree murder.
On Oct. 22 at around 11 a.m., police responded to calls of a car crashing into another parked car, according to Des Moines Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek. After arriving at the scene, officials noticed the driver, 22-year-old Des Moines resident Dok Nyok Akol Dok, suffered from a gunshot injury. First responders transported Dok to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition until he died from his injuries on Wednesday night.
Prior to the victim's death, police arrested and charged 18-year-old Des Moines resident Christopher J. Wessels, Jr. with attempted murder and first-degree robbery, according to Parizek. The shooting occurred after an illegal drug transaction, the department posted on Twitter.
Following Dok's death, Wessels' attempted murder charge was amended to first-degree murder, according to Parizek.
This is the city's 15th homicide of 2022.
Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at @francescablock3.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Man charged in Des Moines' 15th homicide of 2022 after victims death
