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

Lang
2/12/23

Coralville Police have arrested a wanted Iowa City man accused of carrying a firearm away from the scene of a shooting that killed a three-year-old.

Officers were called to a 9-1-1 hang-up at an apartment on 2nd Avenue just after 3:45 Sunday morning. Arriving officers found 33-year-old Chris Gordon of Sandusky Drive inside. Police knew Gordon had warrants for his arrest, and he was taken into custody despite numerous attempts to leave the apartment.

Gordon was wanted after skipping a case management conference last December.

Witnesses told investigators 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. He has a 2014 felony conviction out of Illinois, and is thus unable to legally carry a firearm.
Gordon was taken into custody on July 24th by Iowa City Police 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.

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

Two officers were injured taking Gordon into custody Sunday morning, leading to an added charge of Interference With Official Acts Causing Injury. That charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail.