Cedar Rapids Police say passenger in drive by shooting was a juvenile

Hunter
01/03/23

The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation has released a few more details about a drive-by shooting New Year’s Day in Cedar Rapids that left the driver dead.

As previously reported, the car was involved in a drive-by shooting on the 400 block of Longwood Drive NE just before 6:30am. Officers on scene located the suspect vehicle, which contained two white males, and a pursuit began that led to the driver firing on officers with a rifle.

During the chase, the passenger exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. Investigators did not say where the passenger got out during the chase, or describe the circumstances, but have identified him as a juvenile.

The driver left the roadway near the 5600 block of Mount Vernon Road SE, and fired at officers from inside the vehicle during the high-risk stop. Five officers returned fire, killing the driver. No officers were injured.

The DCI’s lead special agent on the investigation, Joe Lestina, said identity of the deceased and the officers will be released after notification of families and further investigation.