Lang
7/22/23
Two more suspects have been charged with felony rioting in connection with a July 4th shooting on Iowa City’s west side.
Iowa City Police were called to a report of a gunshot victim on the 2600 block of Westwinds Drive just after 1am on July 4th. Multiple surveillance videos taken from the scene reportedly show a group of 10-15 people who assembled to use unlawful force against another person. Seven other people have already been charged in the case. Two more suspects…42-year-old Demetrius Bledsoe and 29-year-old Chantel Simmons…were taken into custody Friday night. Both live on Holiday Road in Coralville.
Participating in a Riot is a Class D Felony punishable by a maximum of five years in prison.
Bledsoe faces an additional Assault Causing Bodily Injury charge after video allegedly shows him attacking someone from behind during the July 4th incident and kicking them while they were on the ground.
Arrest records indicate Bledsoe was taken into custody while driving near Simmons’ residence. He reportedly tried to flee from the traffic stop, but was stopped by Coralville Police. A search of his vehicle reportedly turned up marijuana and three bags of fentanyl. He also allegedly had a loaded .22 caliber pistol in his waistband.
Bledsoe faces additional charges of Carrying Weapons While Intoxicated, Person Ineligible to Carry a Dangerous Weapon, Interference With Official Acts While Carrying a Weapon, Driving While Revoked, and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3rd or Subsequent Offense. If convicted on all charges against him, Bledsoe faces a maximum of 22 years in prison.