Convicted felon accused of carrying firearm away from the scene of fatal shooting of Coralville 3-year-old

Lang
7/24/22

A convicted felon is accused of carrying a firearm away from the scene of a Coralville shooting that killed a three-year-old child.

Witnesses told investigators that 33-year-old Chris Gordon was seen fleeing the scene of a July 3rd shooting on Boston Way that killed three-year-old Damaria Sanders. Gordon was allegedly carrying the gun used in the shooting, although arrest records do not indicate if he is suspected of firing the weapon. Gordon has a 2014 felony conviction out of Illinois, and is thus unable to legally carry a firearm.

Gordon was taken into custody by Iowa City Police just before 3:30 Sunday morning during a traffic stop on the 700 block of South Gilbert Street. A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up an open container of alcohol and a loaded pistol. The 2012 Kia Sorrento also allegedly smelled of burnt marijuana. In addition to the Coralville charge, Gordon was wanted for allegedly breaking a woman’s car window outside his Sandusky Drive home in Iowa City on June 2nd to get items inside that belonged to him.

Gordon is charged with two counts of Dominion or Control of a Firearm by a Felon and one count each of Carrying Weapons, Operating While Intoxicated and 5th Degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of over 12 years in prison.