Lang
10/20/24
One of two suspects in a shots fired incident on the Ped Mall has reached a plea deal.
Iowa City Police say 29-year-old Brandon Juniel and 34-year-old Channell Blount…who live together in Hannibal, Missouri…were involved in an altercation with another subject on the Ped Mall in the early morning hours of July 20th. Juniel and Blount are both reportedly seen on video trying to strike the other person before leaving the scene and returning with a firearm. Juniel and the other subject allegedly fired several rounds at each other while in a crowd on the 200 block of South Dubuque Street, striking two people and causing property damage. The two injuries were non-life-threatening.
Juniel was initially charged with Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon Causing Injury, Reckless Use of a Firearm Causing Property Damage, Going Armed With Intent, Participating in a Riot, and Dominion or Control of a Firearm as a Felon. If convicted on all charges, he would have faced a maximum of 27 years in prison. But Juniel reached a plea deal on Friday, and Judge Chad Kepros has set a sentencing hearing for December 16th. Terms of the plea deal have not been released.
Blount faces a Participating in a Riot charge and could spend up to five years behind bars, if convicted. Her next case management conference is set for November 25th.
Juniel, a former resident of Taylor Drive, has previous felony convictions from his part in a 2019 riot on Hollywood Boulevard and a previous forgery incident.