Kim Norvell

knorvell@dmreg.com

Two Des Moines men who died at 7 Flags Event Center in Clive earlier this month shot and killed each other, police say.

But, police are still searching for critical evidence — including two handguns believed to be used in the shootings — before they can formally close the case. Clive Police Chief Michael Venema said at least two guns were removed from the scene the night of the shooting.

The investigation has been further hampered by uncooperative witnesses. There were at least 100 people at the scene, but most have been uncooperative, Venema said.

"People need to come forward to help us bring some closure to this," Venema said Wednesday during a news conference. "Although we can assume that the two individuals fired the weapons at each other, there’s a lot of unanswered questions. And there are people out there who have answers to those questions."

Johnny Lee Ollie Jackson, 29, and Kevin Lee Hall, 44, were both killed Sept. 5 when a disturbance inside the event center spilled outside onto the parking lot around 2 a.m.

Two other men, 31-year-old William Dale Celander and 25-year-old Kelly Christopher Love Jr., were treated at a local hospital for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

7 Flags was hosting The 2nd Annual All Black Party 2016. The event drew approximately 250 people who were asked to dress in all black clothing. There was a DJ and alcohol was available for purchase.

Police have relied on 7 Flags’ security footage and a 911 call to piece together information about the shooting, Venema said. Here’s how the events unfolded, according to a timeline released by Clive police:

1:49 a.m.: Jackson and several other people are kicked out of 7 Flags after a disturbance. Jackson is seen on video pointing aggressively at others as he moves off camera into the parking lot.

Jackson and several other people are kicked out of 7 Flags after a disturbance. Jackson is seen on video pointing aggressively at others as he moves off camera into the parking lot. 1:52 a.m.: Hall walks out of 7 Flags alone. A few minutes later, Celander leaves the event center.

Hall walks out of 7 Flags alone. A few minutes later, Celander leaves the event center. 1:55 a.m.: A fight breaks out in the parking lot. One minute later, gunfire is heard. Police say it’s unclear whether anyone was struck by the first shots.

A fight breaks out in the parking lot. One minute later, gunfire is heard. Police say it’s unclear whether anyone was struck by the first shots. 1:58 a.m.: A 7 Flags security officer calls 911. It was the only 911 call received despite there being at least 60 people in the parking lot. Around this time, Hall is seen by a witness getting something out of his car. Another witness told police they saw Hall with a gun. About the same time, Jackson fires a handgun at three men in an effort to protect his friend, Celander. Jackson's shots hit Celander in the arm and Love in the thigh. Love was not involved in the fights and was trying to leave the scene, according to police.

A 7 Flags security officer calls 911. It was the only 911 call received despite there being at least 60 people in the parking lot. Around this time, Hall is seen by a witness getting something out of his car. Another witness told police they saw Hall with a gun. About the same time, Jackson fires a handgun at three men in an effort to protect his friend, Celander. Jackson's shots hit Celander in the arm and Love in the thigh. Love was not involved in the fights and was trying to leave the scene, according to police. 2 a.m.: Dispatchers on the phone with 7 Flags security hear multiple shots. Police arrive two minutes later to what was described by Venema as a "chaotic scene."

Police believe Jackson shot and killed Hall with the .45-caliber pistol. Jackson was found dead at the scene with the gun still in his hand.

The bullet that killed Hall has not been recovered. Police believe it may have been lodged in a car that left the scene. They determined Jackson shot Hall by the location of shell casings and by examining bullets recovered from the other two men Jackson shot, Venema said.

It is believed Jackson’s weapon was stolen during a residential burglary.

RELATED:

Police believe Hall shot Jackson multiple times with a .40-caliber pistol. That pistol was not found at the scene, but the bullets recovered from the scene matched ammunition that Hall owned, Venema said.

Police also are looking for the .40-caliber pistol and a 9mm also registered to Hall. Both guns were legally obtained by Hall in 2016. He had a valid permit to carry a weapon, Venema said.

Police believe the guns were likely removed by one or more witnesses. Other weapons might have been present that night, but only three types of shell casings were recovered, Venema said.

Police don’t know what sparked the fight that led to the shooting, but they believe it was "some sort of interpersonal dispute," Venema said.

Clive police are asking for witnesses to step forward to help police piece together the chain of events from the night of the shooting. They also hope whoever took the guns will turn them over to police and anyone with a bullet hole in their vehicle to bring it to the police station, 8505 Harbach Blvd. in Clive.