A Des Moines man is clinging to life after police say he was the victim of a random assault last week outside a convenience store. Des Moines Police Sergeant Chris Scott says it happened last Thursday in a Quik Trip parking lot on the city’s east side at 2945 E. University Ave.
“I don’t know that we know specifically why this happened,” Scott said. “We do know our victim did have a conversation with the suspect. We don’t the specifics of that conversation, but there were other people around.” Investigators are hoping those witnesses will come forward to help lead them to the suspect.
Police are also reviewing store surveillance video. “The video doesn’t show the assault, however, our officers can see the suspect in the video outside the store. Maybe they can use that to identify somebody that might have been there and match up a photo to that person,” Scott said.
The victim, 51-year-old David Kintz Sr., remains hospitalized in critical condition. Scott says Kintz fell to the ground and hit his head on the concrete. It’s not clear if Kintz will survive.
“This is an absolute tragedy for this family,” Scott said. “It’s just a senseless act that occurred. We’re going to work diligently to ensure that justice is served.”