Ped mall shooting suspect acquitted of previous murder charge in Illinois

The man accused of shooting three people on the Iowa City pedestrian mall on Sunday was previously tried and acquitted on a murder charge in Illinois.

Lamar C. Wilson, 23, of Iowa City is facing three counts of attempted murder and three counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon in the ped mall shooting, which sent three men to the hospital.

Earlier this year, Wilson was found not guilty of murder in the June 2013 killing of 19-year-old Henry Kormoi in Homewood, Ill., who died of a gunshot wound to the head. Wilson was also 19 at the time.

Wilson was picked up by authorities in Cedar Rapids and transferred to Illinois on June 25, 2013, Iowa court records show.

Court records from Cook County, Ill., show Wilson was charged with first-degree murder in July 2013 and was found not guilty of the charge on Feb. 2 this year. He was being held in jail in Cook County while his case made its way through the justice system, the records show.

Iowa City police responded to the ped mall shooting around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, about 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.

The three victims — men ages 22, 26 and 27 — were taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. As of Monday, two were in stable condition and one was in critical condition, and police said on Tuesday there were no updates on their conditions.

Wilson was taken into custody near the scene of the shooting and was carrying two guns, 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.

Iowa City police spokesman Sgt. Scott Gaarde confirmed Tuesday that Wilson had a permit to carry firearms in Iowa at the time of his arrest. There is nothing restricting people from legally carrying firearms on the ped mall, he said.

"If they have a permit to carry, they are allowed to carry on the ped mall," Gaarde said.

Wilson could face up to 25 years in prison for each count of attempted murder and each count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and is currently being held at the Johnson County Jail on a $750,000 bond.

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

A Cedar Rapids man, 21-year-old Donte R. Taylor, was also arrested in connection with the ped mall shooting. 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. He is also facing charges of public intoxication and interference with official acts.

Taylor is also being held at the Johnson County Jail on a $76,000 bond.

Iowa City Police Capt. Troy Kelsay said Sunday that officers believe the shooting was not random and appeared to be the result of animosity between two groups. One group is from the Cedar Rapids area and the other group from Iowa City. Kelsay said many of the individuals in the groups are familiar to police, though he would not attribute the incident to gang violence.

Iowa City police have said they are working closely with the Cedar Rapids Police Department on the investigation.

Iowa City and University of Iowa police also plan to increase their presence downtown this weekend to deter any future violent incidents. Saturday is the first Hawkeye football game of the season, and large crowds are expected downtown.

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