Two men charged in ped mall shooting that injured three early Sunday
Two men are facing charges in connection to a shooting on the pedestrian mall that sent three people to the hospital just before bar close Sunday morning.
Online jail records show Lamar C. Wilson, 23, of Iowa City was charged with three counts of attempted murder and three counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, while Donte R. Taylor, 21, of Cedar Rapids was charged with crimes including control of a firearm by a felon, trafficking in stolen weapons and carrying weapons.
The victims — men ages 22, 26 and 27 — were shot about 1:30 a.m., Iowa City police said in a news release. Officers patrolling the pedestrian mall heard multiple shots near College and Dubuque streets and found the three victims in that area, the release said.
The victims were taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where one was listed in critical condition, Iowa City Police Capt. Troy Kelsay said during a news conference at 5:30 a.m. Sunday. Police have not released their names but said none of the injured are University of Iowa students.
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.
Officers took Taylor into custody in the parking ramp in front of the Sheraton Iowa City Hotel after he disregarded multiple commands to stop, the complaints state. Police said Taylor admitted to stealing the Taurus 9 mm handgun he was carrying. He told officers he was present during the shooting.
Kelsay said multiple firearms were recovered and investigators interviewed several people who were in the area.
The incident occurred a half hour before bar close, which is 2 a.m. There were hundreds of people on the ped mall, Kelsay said, and many were UI students. A Hawk Alert was sent to UI students just after 1:30 a.m. warning about shots fired near the Sheraton and to avoid the area. Kelsay said the police department received multiple calls from parents concerned about students.
"I want to assure all those parents ... that none of the victims are University of Iowa students," he said.
One of the victims was found with gunshot wounds in the ped mall walkway between the Sheraton 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, Kelsay said.
One victim was in critical condition and undergoing surgery early Sunday morning, and the other two were in stable condition, Kelsay said.
The police captain said 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.
"It was not something random that occurred down here on the ped mall," Kelsay said. "... The violence seems to be contained between these two groups."
Kelsay said Iowa City and University of Iowa police would increase their presence in the ped mall to prevent any future incidents.
"I am concerned that there could be an escalation, and that’s why you will see an increased police presence here," he said.
Officials from multiple law enforcement agencies set a perimeter around the ped mall, placing crime scene tape in areas near the Sheraton on both entrances to the walkway next to the hotel. What appeared to be drops of blood could be seen on the sidewalk in front of the parking ramp near the entrance to the hotel, at 210 S. Dubuque St.
Kelsay said police would begin reopening parts of the ped mall Sunday morning as officers complete their crime scene investigation. He said he expects the ped mall to be fully open again by Monday morning.
On Sunday afternoon, UI's Office of Strategic Communications released a statement to staff and students, in addition to resources for support services.
"Reports of violent acts on and near our campus left many of us feeling shaken and concerned," the statement said. "Safety is our highest priority, and ... University of Iowa Police and Iowa City Police will continue to work together to enhance safety downtown by increasing their presence in an effort to prevent a second incident or escalation."
Wilson could face up to 25 years in prison for each attempted murder charge and 10 years for each intimidation with a dangerous weapon charge, while Taylor could face up to five years each for the weapons trafficking and felon-in-possession-of-a-firearm charges and two years for the carrying weapons charge. Taylor is also facing charges of public intoxication and interference with official acts. The men are being held at the Johnson County jail.
UI students walking near the ped mall early Sunday along South Linn Street said they had been in the area near the Sheraton and heard yelling before hearing five or six shots.
Mobile vendors on the pedestrian mall, packing up around 3 a.m., said they had seen multiple officers on the ped mall during the day and, after hearing shots from the Dubuque Street side of the hotel, saw the officers running to the scene on foot.
UI students began classes for the fall semester on Monday. The Latino Festival was also held Saturday on the ped mall and drew hundreds of people to the area. The festival ended around 9 p.m.
Another Hawk Alert sent to students shortly before 3 a.m. warned of a robbery at gunpoint on East Market Street. Kelsay said the robbery is unrelated to the ped mall shooting.
Andy Davis contributed to this story.
