Hunter
07/16/24
An Iowa City man was arrested Monday for his alleged involvement in a shooting downtown over the 4th of July weekend.
Police say 26-year-old Thomas Clay of South Van Buren Street shot at a victim outside the Nile Hookah Bar at around 1:30am July 7th. The victim was reportedly seen on video footage sprinting away from Clay, and dozens of patrons at the hookah bar evacuated immediately after hearing the shots fired.
Authorities secured a search warrant for Clay’s home, and reportedly found over 50 grams of marijuana, along with packaging materials, a scale, and drug paraphernalia.
Iowa City Police then encountered Clay inside the Fieldhouse just before 1:15am Sunday and detained him as part of the shooting investigation. A search of his person reportedly turned up a Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol and a small amount of marijuana.
Clay was formerly charged Monday in the shooting with Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Going Armed with Intent, Assault while Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, a Controlled Substance violation, Keeping Premises for Controlled Substances, and Failure to Affix Drug Stamp.
Additionally, Clay faces charges of Person Ineligible to Carry a Dangerous Weapon and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
If convicted on all counts against him, Clay could be sentenced to up to over 30 years in prison.
The man who Clay allegedly shot at requested a no-contact order; Judge Jason Burns issued the order Monday.