Police said they've arrested a Chicago man on first-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of two Des Moines women who were hit by an SUV.
Officers said Brenda Coplen, 45, and Sharosa Odie, 25, were struck near the corner of 21st Street and Forest Avenue just before 7 p.m.
Witnesses said Travaris Chancellor, 19, of Chicago, deliberately drove into a crowd and hit the two women. They were taken to a hospital, where they died.
Police said a fight was going on at the scene when they arrived. They were not immediately able to assist the two women who had been hit until they dispersed the crowd with pepper spray. They said one officer was assaulted during the melee.
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"People were going crazy," said Des Moines police Sgt. Lori Lavorato. "People were yelling and screaming (and were) pretty upset. That, in itself, caused friction within the group."
Chancellor was arrested early Sunday on two first-degree murder charges. Deputies said he went to a police station because he felt like someone was following him and was worried about the safety of children in his SUV.
He was taken to the Polk County Jail and held in lieu of a $500,000 cash bond.
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07-05-2009, 08:26 PM
Buck mows down two ho’s, nigs chimp out on scene
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