Lang/Hunter
12/13/22
Iowa City Police say an armed suspect shot himself during a standoff with police in a Riverfront Crossings parking ramp.
According to an ICPD news release and arrest reports, officers responded to a welfare check at the Court Street Parking Ramp bus depot at approximately 2pm Monday. Information received by police from a third party indicated a man was armed and trying to take his wife by bus to Chicago against her will. The couple’s three children, an infant, a 7-year-old and an 8-year-old, were also present.
Upon seeing the arriving officers, the man, identified as 33-year-old Cardale Hunter, reportedly pulled out a .380 caliber pistol, grabbed his wife, and pressed the gun to the back of her head. He allegedly threatened to kill her if officers didn’t back off, then fled with the woman into the parking ramp.
Police followed the two into the ramp, cornered them in an upper level, and then began negotiating with Hunter. He continued to hold his wife hostage and threatened to kill her several times.
At that point the University of Iowa sent out a Hawkalert about the situation, a police perimeter was established around the ramp, community members were advised to shelter in place, and staff at the ramp were evacuated.
Hunter eventually released the hostage and then shot himself with the pistol. He has been released from the hospital after being treated for the wound, and is in custody at the Johnson County Jail.
Hunter has been charged with 2nd degree Kidnapping, Dominion or Control of a Firearm by a Felon, Going Armed with Intent, Domestic Abuse Assault with use of a Weapon, and Child Endangerment. If convicted on all counts, Hunter could face a prison term of up to 39 years.