Hunter
01/04/24
Authorities have released more details on a New Year’s Day drive-by shooting, including the identity of the shooter who died at the hands of Cedar Rapids Police.
The Gazette reports that 20-year-old Michael Griffin of Cedar Rapids spoke with the occupants at 414 Longwood Drive Northeast early that morning while displaying a black AR-15 style rifle, demanding to be told the whereabouts of someone he identified with a street name. The occupants got Griffin to leave, but the house was hit with gunfire shortly afterwards.
Police located Griffin’s vehicle and a pursuit followed. At some point, a 17-year-old boy was let out of the car and taken into custody. He gave police the driver’s identity and said he was armed with the AR. Griffin’s vehicle was stopped using a PIT maneuver, in which the rear quarter panel is struck, causing a spin-out and the car to stall. Griffin reportedly fired on officers, who fired back and killed him.
Five officers were involved, and it’s unclear how many rounds actually hit Griffin. The Department of Criminal Investigation announced an autopsy was performed by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny, but the final results may not be available for four or five weeks. The officers are on leave while the investigation continues.