This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Iowa City Police Department announced that 15 additional people, including two juveniles, accused in a downtown Iowa City shooting that injured five bystanders, are facing charges connected to the April 19 incident in the Pedestrian Mall.
In a release sent out Wednesday morning, ICPD said Ka’Mari Dozier, 17, of Cedar Rapids, handed a gun to Damarian Jones, 17, of Cedar Rapids, who shot six times into a crowd in the Pedestrian Mall, injuring five bystanders.
Damarian was taken into custody on May 11 at Clayton County Jail in Georgia and faced the following charges:
- five counts of attempted murder
- three counts of willful injury assault causing serious injury
- two counts of willful injury assault causing bodily harm
- going armed with intent
Ka’Mari, who was also prohibited from possessing a firearm at the time of the shooting, is currently facing the following charges:
- five counts of attempted murder
- joint criminal conduct, for supplying the firearm immediately prior to the shooting
ICPD also said Damarian fled the scene with Isaiah M. Bates, 18, of Cedar Rapids. According to investigators, Bates arranged transportation for Damarian to leave Iowa City following the shooting and later searched online for information related to disposing of firearms.
Bates faces the following charges:
- obstruction
- accessory after the fact
- riot
Additionally, 13 individuals each face a single count of riot, which, according to Iowa Code Section 723.1, involves three or more people acting together “in a violent manner” with the intent to commit a public offense. In Iowa, rioting is classified as a Class D felony, which is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine ranging from $750 to $7,500.
According to the Cedar Rapids Police Department, they have cooperated with ICPD but have not been actively involved in the investigation.
Lee Hermiston, public information officer for ICPD, said in an interview with The Daily Iowan Damarian, Ka’Mari, and a third juvenile are currently in police custody. Due to ongoing investigation, Hermiston was not able to provide information about what differentiates those who were charged with rioting from bystanders at the incident.
ICPD is continuing the investigation and asks anyone with additional information to reach out to the police department at 319-356-5275.