Police identify suspects in Des Moines triple fatal shooting, fight

Des Moines Police asking for public’s help to find Joshua Puloka, aka Joshua Everybodytalksabout

By Steve Hunter • October 25, 2021 2:05 pm

Des Moines Police are asking for the public’s help to find a man who reportedly fatally shot three people Sept. 26 at the La Familia Sports Pub.

Police also are looking for a man allegedly involved in an assault just prior to the shooting that took the lives of Ezra Taylor, 26; Antoine Matthews, 32; and Angelia Hylton, 46.

Police identified the suspect as Joshua D. Puloka, aka Joshua Everybodytalksabout. Detectives developed probable cause to arrest Puloka for three counts of murder at the pub, 22855 Pacific Highway S., according to an Oct. 25 Des Moines Police press release.

Puloka, 44, is considered armed and dangerous and members of the community should not attempt contact with him, according to police.

Detectives also are looking for Demarcus L. Simmons, 32, aka “D Nice.” Police report they have probable cause to arrest Simmons for felony assault for a fight that occurred prior to the shooting in the bar’s parking lot.

The incident began over a dispute between two people inside the bar, police said. The dispute spilled into the parking lot and two people got into separate vehicles before shots were fired into the crowd as the cars drove away.

Police last month said they had identified persons of interest after reviewing video surveillance.

Police released photos of both men. Puloka may have shaved his beard to change his appearance, according to police.

If you know the whereabouts of Puloka or Simmons, you are asked to contact the Des Moines Police tip line at 206-870-6871 or Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS. You may remain anonymous.