Four Des Moines residents have been charged with murder in connection with a 2017 homicide in Ames.
On November 18, 2017, at approximately 3:37 A.M., officers responded to a report of a shooting that occurred at 1311 Mayfield Drive, Apt. 110 in Ames. Upon arrival at the scene, a male victim was located suffering from a single gunshot wound to the upper torso. The victm was identified as 21-year-old Xavier J. Shepley. Shepley was transported to Mary Greeley Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
According to police, witnesses said two men entered the apartment wearing masks in what appeared to be a robbery. The victim was shot during the robbery. The two men fled the area along with two females in a Chevrolet Avalanche.
As a result of an “extensive and ongoing investigation”, Ames police say Murder in the First Degree charges have been filed against the following individuals:
• 24-year-old Albrea R. Winfrey (pictured above)
• 25-year-old Jordan N. Bryant
• 28-year-old Anthony E. English
• 25-year-old Demario D. Woods
Winfrey was arrested Friday and is currently being held at the Story County Jail.
Bryant, English and Woods are in the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections on unrelated charges.
A criminal complaint states that Winfrey and Bryant were together at Shepley’s apartment and communicated via cell phone while inside on the day of the robbery.
“Minutes before the robbers entered the apartment and killed Shepley, Winfrey exited the apartment and left the door unlocked,” according to the complaint. “Winfrey waited in the get away vehicle immediately outside of Shepley’s side door until the robbers ran out of the apartment into the get away vehicle. The foursome then drove to Des Moines together.”
The Ames Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the Des Moines Police Department, Marshalltown Police Department, Story County Attorney’s Office, Iowa Office of the Attorney General and various other law enforcement agencies.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Ames Police Department at 239-5133 or the anonymous tip line 239-5533. You may also contact Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at 515-223-1400. Online anonymous tips may be submitted to www.crimestoppersofcentraliowa.com or text a tip, Text “PCCS” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).
