IC, Columbus Junction residents arrested for allegedly shooting Coralville man during botched robbery attempt

Lang
1/27/22

An Iowa City woman and a Louisa County teen face attempted murder and robbery charges after they allegedly shot a Coralville man earlier this month in Washington County.

According to a news release from the Washington Police Department, 17-year-old Jaden Miller of Columbus Junction and 19-year-old Mya Wright of Iowa City were taken into custody on Thursday. The two are accused of shooting 41-year-old Kenneth James of Coralville outside the Woodridge Apartments on West Adams Street just after 8pm on January 7th. Police say Miller approached the driver’s side of James’ vehicle and fired one shot, striking James in the left torso.

James was able to drive away, but crashed his car at the intersection of South Iowa Avenue and East Monroe Street, where he called 9-1-1. He was later transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

According to Thursday’s news release, Miller and Wright had invited James to Washington under the pretense of conducting a drug deal, but the pair had actually planned to rob him. It was during the course of the attempted robbery that Miller shot James.

Miller and Wright are each charged with Attempted Murder and 1st Degree Robbery. If convicted on both charges, they each face a maximum of 50 years in prison. Bond is set at $500,000.