The Des Moines Police Department received a report of shots fired from a resident near the Drake neighborhood around 11:35 a.m. on Sept. 15.

According to DMPD Sgt. Paul Parizek, the homeowner, who lives in the 1300 block of 22nd Street, said that he too was armed and returned fire.

“Patrol officers responded to the scene and observed shell casings that appeared to confirm an exchange of gunfire,” Parizek said. “The homeowner was not injured.”

The resident informed officers that the incident occurred when a group of juveniles was in the process of stealing his bicycle on his property. When he confronted them, one of the juveniles shot at the resident with a handgun, and he fired back.   

“The juveniles ran from this location,” Parizek said. “Officers and detectives continued this investigation and learned that the juveniles had boarded a bus that was en route to the central station downtown.”

A couple of the juveniles ran and were caught a short distance away. DMPD detained a 15-year-old male who was found to have a handgun on him. Further investigation found evidence of his involvement in the exchange. 

He has been charged with robbery 1st-degree, carrying weapons, and assault with a dangerous weapon. The others caught were not charged in connection to the incident.