Iowa City ped mall shooting victim dies; suspect charged with murder

One of the victims in a Sunday morning shooting on the Iowa City pedestrian mall has died, police confirmed.

Kaleek Asham Douglas Jones, 22, of Iowa City, died Tuesday from injuries sustained in the shooting, the Iowa City Police Department said in a news release Wednesday afternoon.

Jones was one of three victims in the downtown shooting, which happened at about 1:30 a.m. on the crowded ped mall, half an hour before bar close. One of the victims was found with gunshot wounds in the ped mall walkway between the Sheraton Hotel and Martini's bar. Another victim collapsed in front of the parking ramp in front of the Sheraton, and the third was found in the ramp.

All three victims — Jones and two men ages 26 and 27 — were taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The Press-Citizen is not naming the other two victims, who have been described by police as in stable condition.

A statement from Jones' family described him as an "amazing man" and a loving fiance and father.

"Vari and Lillia, his children, were the apples of his eye. As a daddy he did it all, bottles, diapers and playing Mr. Frog. Kaleek had a gift with children and they loved him. Whoever reached out to Kaleek, he would be there however he was needed," the statement said, in part.

Jones, a City High graduate, was known as the "grill master" and chef who talked about going back to school and eventually opening up his own restaurant, his family said in the statement.

"Kaleek lived life and would light up everything and everyone around him. His eyes would sparkle, he would crack a smile and that laugh would draw you in. You could hear him singing, rapping (oh lord) and shaking his dreads at times," the statement said.

A GoFundMe page set up for Jones also confirmed his death, saying, "Kaleek has gone home. Let's surround his children, fiancee, mother, sisters and brothers and all who love him in our support, love and prayers. Thank you to everyone who is thinking of Kaleek's family in this time of deep sorrow. RIP Kaleek."

As of Wednesday evening, the page had raised more than $1,580, which is intended to go toward medical and funeral expenses.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the shooting, including 23-year-old Lamar C. Wilson, who police say pulled the trigger. Wilson was facing three counts of attempted murder and three counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, but as a result of Jones' death one of the attempted murder charges has been updated to first-degree murder, the release said.

Officials set Wilson's bond for the murder charge at $1 million, while keeping in place the $750,000 total bond for his other charges. The change appeared in online court records Thursday. Wilson is currently being held at the Johnson County Jail.

Wilson was carrying two guns when he was taken into custody near the scene of the shooting, according to Iowa City police complaints. Police said he admitted to firing several rounds at a number of people.

An acquaintance told police Wilson shot at the victims over an "ongoing feud," the complaints state. Police said the victims were shot at close range.

Wilson had a valid permit to carry firearms at the time of his arrest, police said.

First-degree murder is a class A felony punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole. Wilson could also face up to 25 years for each attempted murder charge and 10 years for each intimidation charge.

Iowa court records show protective orders have been issued for the victims, forbidding Wilson from contacting them.

Earlier this year, a Cook County, Illinois jury found Wilson not guilty of first-degree murder in a 2013 shooting in Homewood, Illinois.

The other man arrested in connection with the shooting, Donte R. Taylor, 21, Cedar Rapids, is being held at the jail on a $76,000 bond. Taylor could face up to five years each for charges of trafficking in stolen weapons and control of a firearm by a felon, and two years for a charge of carrying weapons.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing and additional charges are possible, according to the news release. Iowa City police encouraged anyone with information related to the incident to contact them at (319) 356-5276.

Iowa City police are being assisted in the investigation by University of Iowa police, the Johnson County Medical Examiner's Office and the Johnson County Attorney's Office.

Iowa City Area CrimeStoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information on the shooting. Anyone with knowledge of the incident is encouraged to call (319) 358-8477. Callers do not need to reveal their identity to collect a reward.

Police have said they plan to increase their presence on the pedestrian mall to deter the possibility of future incidents.

Reach Stephen Gruber-Miller at 319-887-5407 or sgrubermil@press-citizen.com. Follow him on Twitter: @sgrubermiller.