A 17-year-old suspect wanted in connection with a shooting that wounded five people near the University of Iowa campus has been taken into custody by federal authorities in Georgia, Iowa City officials announced Monday.
Damarian M. Jones of Cedar Rapids was apprehended by U.S. marshals in the Atlanta area and is now facing serious criminal charges including five counts of attempted murder and five counts of assault. The teenager is currently being held at Clayton County Jail in Georgia while awaiting an extradition hearing to return him to Iowa.
Authorities have not disclosed the specific details of how Jones was located and arrested, including the exact location of his capture or whether he offered any resistance during the arrest. It remains unclear at this time if Jones has secured legal representation.
Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman Smith, who would handle the prosecution if Jones is returned to Iowa, stated she had no additional information about the arrest circumstances and was unaware of whether Jones had obtained counsel. Attempts to reach the U.S. Marshals Office in Des Moines and Iowa City Police Department for comment were unsuccessful.
According to law enforcement, Jones was involved in a large altercation that erupted on a pedestrian walkway surrounded by shops, dining establishments, and bars close to the Iowa campus around 2 a.m. on April 19. Investigators allege that during a pause in the fighting, Jones discharged six rounds into the crowd before escaping the scene.
The shooting resulted in severe injuries to multiple victims. One individual sustained a gunshot wound to the head, while another was struck in both the arm and chest. Two additional victims were wounded in their legs, and a fifth person suffered a gunshot to the abdomen. Monday’s announcement indicated that one victim continues to receive hospital treatment, though officials did not identify which victim or provide details about their current medical status.
