Hunter
01/02/24
A New Year’s Day drive-by shooting has left the shooter dead after reportedly firing on Cedar Rapids police multiple times.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety says the incident began at approximately 6:24 am, when the Cedar Rapids Police received a report that a sedan drove past a residence on the 400 block of Longwood Drive Northeast and fired shots. Arriving officers attempted to locate the vehicle and were able find it less than ten minutes after the incident.
The suspect vehicle was occupied by two white males. As the pursuit was taking place on 1st Ave. near 12th St. East, the driver pointed a rifle outside of his vehicle and fired rounds at the pursuing officers. At some point in the pursuit, the passenger exited the vehicle and was taken into custody by officers.
The driver fired shots at the officers again near the intersection of Mount Vernon Road and 34th Street Southeast. The vehicle left the road on the 5600 block of Mount Vernon Road. Officers gave verbal commands for the suspect to leave the vehicle, but he again fired his weapon from inside. Five officers discharged their firearms at the suspect. Upon checking the vehicle, the driver was found deceased. No officers were injured.
The driver’s name is not being released, pending family notification. The names of the officers involved and additional facts are not being released at this time. They are on critical incident leave pending completion of the DCI investigation.