Transient accused of assaulting Shelter House staff

Lang
3/27/21

A transient faces charges that he assaulted staff at an Iowa City homeless shelter.

Iowa City Police were called to Shelter House on Southgate Avenue just before 2:15 Friday afternoon for a guest assaulting staff. Staff members told investigators that 32-year-old Donald Studnicka came to the shelter and was told to leave. He then returned to the building, claiming he’d lost his keys. Studnicka was again told to leave.

Police say Studnicka then tried to force his way past a staff member, grabbing the man’s glasses off his face and throwing them. The victim suffered scratches to his face as a result.

Studnicka was arrested and charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury, a Serious Misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of one year in jail.