Iowa
Iowa City clergy members condemn racist comments following Ped Mall shooting
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Nearly 30 clergy members from the Iowa City region released a statement following a shooting at the Ped Mall, urging community members to come together to heal and condemning racist comments online.
“To post racist and hateful comments in response to the events of April 19 is completely unproductive, unhelpful, unkind, and wrong. As faith leaders in this community, we unequivocally condemn both the violence on April 19 and the violence of online racist comments,” the statement said in part.
Police are searching for a suspect accused of shooting into a crowd at the Iowa City Ped Mall on Sunday.
Suspect faces attempted murder charges
17-year-old Damarian Jones, of Cedar Rapids, faces several charges including five counts of attempted murder, three counts of willful injury causing serious injury, two counts of willful injury causing bodily injury, and one count of going armed with intent.
Police say Jones was involved in a fight at 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning with 40 other people. In a lull in the fight, police said Jones retrieved a gun from another person and then fired six shots into the crowd, hitting five people.
None of the five victims were part of the fight, according to police. A female who was shot in the head remains in critical condition.
Community members say they still feel safe
People living and working in downtown Iowa City say they still feel safe despite the shooting. Iowa City police say the number of shootings have trended down over the last year.
University of Iowa Police will send four additional officers to help patrol downtown during peak hours Friday and Saturday nights.
Cooper Brown, co-owner of the Kitty Corner Social Club, said what happened last Sunday was rare and a random act of violence.
“Even then the circumstances I don’t think are likely to be replicated. This has not changed how I feel about downtown Iowa City in any capacity. I think anyone who is freaking out about the safety of Iowa City probably doesn’t frequent it,” Brown said.
Police have not released any new information about the ongoing investigation since a news conference Wednesday. They say they expect more arrests and charges.
The full statement can be found here.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
See where all 9 Iowa State women’s basketball transfers ended up
Audi Crook on her mindset for senior year and the 2027 WNBA Draft class
USAT’s Sam Cardona-Norberg catches with with college basketball star Audi Crooks and where her mind is at as she prepares for her last season.
Sports Seriously
The Iowa State women’s basketball roster looks a whole lot different than it did two months ago.
Since the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, nine players have decided to leave Ames and transfer to a new school. That included some of the Cyclones’ biggest stars like Audi Crooks, Addy Brown and Jada Williams.
As of April 23, all nine of the former Cyclones have found new homes. Scroll below to see where each of them will play during the 2026-27 season.
Where did Audi Crooks transfer?
The rising senior All-American has announced her transfer to Big 12 rival Oklahoma State.
Where did Addy Brown transfer to?
Brown, who averaged 11.9 points and 8.8 boards per game, announced Thursday that she will be transferring to national title winners UCLA.
Where did Jada Williams transfer to?
After one season in Ames, Williams announced that she is transferring to LSU.
Where did Kenzie Hare transfer to?
Hare will play for Indiana next season, she announced.
Where did Alisa Williams transfer to?
Williams will join Hare in Bloomington, having signed with the Hoosiers.
Where did Reese Beaty transfer to?
Beaty, a Tennessee native, returns to SEC country after having signed with Mississippi State.
Where did Lilly Taulelei transfer to?
The New Zealand native will play her final season of college basketball at Rice.
Where did Reagan Wilson transfer to?
The rising junior guard will head to the MAC and play for Toledo next season.
Where did Aili Tanke transfer to?
The former Johnston High School star will continue her college career out west, committing to Nevada.
Iowa
17-year-old sought for attempted murder in mass shooting near University of Iowa: police
Police are seeking a 17-year-old on attempted murder charges following a shooting early Sunday in a nightlife district near the University of Iowa campus, authorities said Wednesday.
Five people were treated for gunshot wounds, including three University of Iowa students. One woman remained in critical condition Wednesday after sustaining a life-threatening injury to her head, Iowa City Police Chief Dustin Liston said.
Officials said an arrest warrant was issued for the 17-year-old who was allegedly engaged in the fight, adding that reports indicate as many as 40 people may have been involved. Officers had been dispatched to the fight and arrived within 45 seconds, Liston said.
After walking away from the other participants, the suspect allegedly fired six times into the crowded pedestrian area, Liston said. Iowa City’s downtown pedestrian mall is lined with shops, bars and restaurants.
The minor from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will initially be charged as an adult, as is required by Iowa law for forcible felony charges against an individual aged 16 or older, said Rachel Zimmermann Smith, Johnson County attorney.
The charges, which include five counts of attempted murder, will be brought when the suspect is apprehended, she said.
Liston said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected. About three dozen search warrants have already been executed.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to hold those responsible fully accountable,” he said, adding that anyone with information on the incident or the suspect are encouraged to come forward.
The five victims were not “targets of the shooting,” Liston said. “We have no reason to believe they were otherwise affiliated with the fight that preceded the shooting.”
Liston also provided details about the other four victims’ injuries, including one struck in the arm and chest, two struck in one or both legs and one in the side of their stomach. One is still hospitalized in stable condition and three have been released, he said.
Iowa
Wrongful death suit filed for prospective Univ. of Iowa student killed in car crash
CHATHAM, Ill. (KCRG) – The families of four children and a teenager killed after a vehicle crashed into an Illinois after-school camp have filed a wrongful death lawsuit, just short of a year after the tragic accident.
The teenager killed, 18-year-old camp counselor Rylee Britton, of Springfield, planned to attend the University of Iowa and would have been finishing her freshman year.
The April 28 accident at YNOT Camp also claimed the lives of 7-year-olds Kathryn Corley and Alma Buhnerkempe, and 8-year-olds Bradley James Lund and Ainsley Johnson. Lund spent five weeks in the hospital before succumbing to his injuries.
At least six other children were severely injured, and numerous children witnessed the accident.
The crash happened after Marianne Akers, 44, veered off of a county highway, traveled through a cornfield and drove straight through the building. Akers was not charged after an investigation found that she was having a medical episode during the crash, and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The lawsuit, filed Sunday, names YNOT Camp, as well as Akers, responsible for their deaths. They claim the building violated multiple safety codes when it was built and was not suitable to protect its occupants.
Legal representatives are holding a press conference Wednesday afternoon to discuss the lawsuit.
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
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