Questions Remain In The Death Of A William Penn Student

Marquis Todd in action for the William Penn University Men’s Basketball team on November 4, 2017.

A college campus and community working towards healing.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – An email from William Penn University President John Ottosson, on Friday morning, informed the student population that one of their own, Marquis Todd, of Woodridge, Illinois, had passed away overnight.

Todd was also a member of the William Penn Men’s basketball team.

The shock went out from the campus to the city square, as people learned of the violent end to such a young life.

The Oskaloosa Police Department and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation held a joint news conference at the Mahaska County Law Center on Friday morning, providing updates about the investigation and fielding questions from reporters.

Mike Motsinger, from the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, and Oskaloosa Police Chief Jake McGee represented the law enforcement actively participating in the death investigation.

Motsinger said that the 911 center received a call at approximately 10:50 pm in reference to a fight occurring at 603 North 3rd Street in Oskaloosa.

“When officers were arriving in the area, Oskaloosa Police officers found a male needing medical attention at the Jiffy Mart gas station that’s located at 315 A Avenue East,” explained Motsinger.

Todd was transported to Mahaska Health Partnership where he passed away from the stab wound he had suffered.

Todd’s body was then transported to the Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, Iowa. His autopsy is scheduled for March 3, 2018.

According to Motsinger, all the parties in the incident have been interviewed. He said investigators believe the public is not in danger, and that it was an isolated incident. “We are working through the information that we received through everyone that has been interviewed.

McGee explained the incident might have been initiated with a minor vehicle accident that happened approximately a half hour before the 911 call went out.

The vehicle that Marqis Todd was in as it was parked at Jiffy convenience store Thursday evening.

It’s unclear if individuals located at 603 North 3rd Street were involved at this point.

No arrests have been made as of Friday in the case, as the departments continue to build a case file to present to the Mahaska County Attorney’s office for review.

Motsinger informed the media that they couldn’t get into any details of if they had any suspects at this time and that it’s too early to discuss what charges, if any, a potential suspect may face.

McGee wanted to emphasize that the stabbing death of Todd was an isolated incident and there was no danger to anyone else.

On the campus of William Penn University, the men’s basketball team prepared themselves to play in the scheduled Heart of America Conference tournament semi-final round.

Outside the gymnasium, a memorial to Todd began to grow, as flowers, pictures, and other memories were placed on the steps.

Around Oskaloosa, and on social media, the dismay was evident that such an incident had taken place in the town of nearly 12,000.

Melanie Hirl commented on Facebook that, “Things like this aren’t supposed to happen here. They aren’t supposed to happen anywhere. So sad for his family, and for the Wm. Penn family. Oskaloosa is in mourning.”

Former William Penn Men’s Basketball standout Brandon Beasley shared his thoughts with Oskaloosa News on the death of Marquis Todd.

Beasley never played with Todd, but the professional player spoke about the struggle for some. “Inner city kids dedicate their lives to something such as basketball to use it as a tool to get away from the traps such as drugs, violence, and poverty, in their hometowns. They spend 18 years with their guard up, keeping their noses clean, and staying out of the way so they can survive the hood and not become another statistic.”

“The last thing a parent wants to hear is that their baby has been taken away from them. To hear that your baby has been taken away from you due to a senseless act of violence while he’s away at college. The one place that you worked so hard to get to, to ensure you can get yourself up for a bright and successful future,” added Beasley, who he himself was looking for answers.

Marquis Todd’s jersey covered one of the chairs that made up the William Penn bench during Friday night’s game.

On the campus of William Penn University Friday night, the band was warming up and so was the men’s basketball team, who were outfitted in black t-shirts honoring Todd.

Somber in nature, the usually fun-loving squad was showing the fatigue of no sleep during a day of grieving.

The Statesmen took the floor, pointing towards the heaven, remembering their teammate.

A seesaw battle ensued on the court, not just on the scoreboard, but in the hearts of the players.

In the end, the Statesmen fell in the semi-final round to Peru State, but the healing gained from the experience made them stronger.

That healing continued out front of Penn Gymnasium, where a candlelight vigil was held in Todd’s honor.

Athletics Director Nik Rule opened up the evening. He looked across the large crowd gathered. “Look around right now. Look at everyone from every different background. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from. This is exactly the way Marquis would have wanted it.”

“I thought a lot about what we should do today, and the first thing that came to mind was that man. Marquis smiles all the time. So Marquis would be pretty upset if we didn’t try to smile a little bit.”

“He smiled and made everybody happy,” said Rule while talking about his experiences with Todd.

Rule spoke about his last moment with Todd. Rule recounted Todd photobombing the cheer team after a big win by the William Penn Women’s basketball team in the conference tournament. “Marquis had that big grin on his face. If that was his last moment in Penn Gymnasium, what a perfect one.”

William Penn President John Ottosson said that it was one of the bravest things he has ever seen, watching the men’s basketball team step onto the court. “You know what, what the final score was doesn’t matter.”

“We won by you guys putting that jersey on,” added Ottosson. “Thank you and use this as a motivator to go on at nationals and do what Marquis wanted us all to do.”

“When you face trials like this, the only way you get through it is by leaning on one another, and leaning on God,” said Ottosson.

One of Todd’s teammates spoke, saying “part of me is missing right now. All we could do is sit there and cry. Hold each other up. It’s really hard right now.”

“May he ball in heaven.”

Teammate D’Angelo Allen shared his thoughts about his friend Marquis, and his personal experience at being there for Marquis in his final moments. “But to go through what I seen yesterday, I lost another brother. Where I come from, I ain’t got no more friends or brothers.”

“I’ve lost too many people close to me,” added Allen. “Marquis was a good person,”

“All he wanted was a chance.”

Mikeal Donaldson mourns the loss of his teammate and friend Marquis Todd during a candlelight vigil Friday night.

“When I seen him yesterday, just sitting there man, I’m like, God’s got him. He’s gonna make it; God’s got him. God’s got my boy. Even though he’s going, and it hurt, he’s in a better place. He’s still smiling right now with my momma,” said Allen. “I love you, bro. I will always love you. I swear to God, I will always love you.”

Brandon Trotter, also a teammate to Todd, spoke next. “Todd, you were a genuine man. You’re genuine.”

“You’ve got a heart like me, he’s willing to do anything, anything.”

Trotter said he had become close because they were both working for the chance to get where they wanted to be in life. “He was about to get his chance.”

Trotter offered special words of encouragement to the two players who witnessed the incident. “We’re here for you. We feel pain, but you all actually seen it. You all seen him right there on the ground.”

The vigil was being video recorded to send to the Todd family upon their request. Those in attendance looked into the camera, sharing their love for the Todd family.

As students were leaving from the vigil, a William Penn student called for everyone to stop the hate, saying it doesn’t matter if you are black or white.

Ottosson, filled with emotion and drained by the fatigue, spoke with Oskaloosa News after the vigil. Ottosson praised his staff, saying that “everyone just mobilized.”

“The whole day is, what can we do,” said Ottosson. “This is day one. The grieving, the healing isn’t over.”

Ottosson spoke about the diversity of the William Penn student body. “People of all different kinds of backgrounds, end up being family. We’re just trying to be a family.”