Iowa state troopers responding to a routine jump-start of a stalled car were met with a gruesome surprise: a dead man who had been shot twice and concealed under a pile of clothing. The driver, Jihad Abdul Malik Gasaway, initially faced charges of abuse of a corpse but was later charged with first-degree murder after an autopsy confirmed the victim’s death as a homicide.
The incident took place on Tuesday when troopers noticed a silver Chevy Malibu parked on the shoulder of Interstate 80, with Gasaway standing alongside it. Gasaway claimed that his vehicle needed a jump-start, but upon further investigation, officers discovered a firearm in his possession. They also found an unresponsive man slumped over the passenger seat, covered by clothing in an attempt to conceal the body.
Gasaway did not notify anyone about the man inside the vehicle or call 911 for medical assistance. As officers encountered the body, Gasaway could be heard on recording expressing concern for the man’s well-being. A spent shell casing and two fired bullets matching Gasaway’s handgun were found in the car, leading to his arrest.
During interrogation, Gasaway claimed that he and the victim, Kemp Xavier Sherrod Harriel, had been traveling together from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines. Gasaway stated that he was unaware of Harriel’s condition until he saw the expressions on the troopers’ faces. He also mentioned that he had covered Harriel with clothing to keep him warm.
Prior to the troopers’ encounter, another report had been made about the same Chevy Malibu found in a ditch approximately 20 miles away. Gasaway indicated that he and Harriel had gotten into an altercation, but the details surrounding Harriel’s death remain unclear.
The investigation into this disturbing incident is ongoing, and further details may emerge as authorities continue their work.
