Fort Dodge man wanted for First Degree Murder in shooting has died

By: Matt Scher, [email protected]

Fort Dodge, IA – A Fort Dodge man wanted on an arrest warrant for first degree murder has died.

27-year-old Adarius Clayton was wanted for first degree murder and was considered armed and dangerous following the murder of 26 year old Nicole Reza Thursday night. He was discovered by police in Des Moines and when he was approached, he took out a gun and killed himself.

The Fort Dodge Police Department detailed the process that led to find Clayton in the Des Moines area:

“In the hours following the homicide that occurred on Thursday Mar. 30, investigators with the Fort Dodge Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, and the Webster County Attorney’s Office continued to follow up on any and all leads. During the course of the investigation information was received that Clayton had fled to the Des Moines area. Investigators communicated with multiple different law enforcement entities in the Des Moines area to coordinate the capture of Clayton.

Investigators with the Fort Dodge Police Department traveled to the Des Moines area to assist local law enforcement and spotted Clayton in the area of the 5200 block NE 14t St. The Fort Dodge Police investigators made contact with local law enforcement who responded to their location. Local law enforcement arrived and attempted to make contact with Clayton. When Clayton was confronted by law enforcement, he brandished a firearm and
took his own life with a self‐inflicted gunshot wound. Law enforcement on scene rendered medical aid to Clayton and emergency services responded to the scene but Clayton was pronounced deceased. Law enforcement locked down the scene and conducted an investigation into the events that had taken place.

At this time investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, and the Webster County Attorney’s Office are continuing to follow up on the incident. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Fort Dodge Police. Information may also be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

The Fort Dodge Police Department was assisted by the Des Moines Police Department, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, U.S. Marshalls Fugitive Task Force and local emergency
medical services.”

Clayton was wanted for the murder of 26-year-old Nicole Reza of Fort Dodge following a shooting in the 700 block of Seventh Ave. N. on Thursday night.