Search warrant reveals new details leading up to shooting

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Marion man who threatened police with a hammer last month started out his evening April 16 by drinking alcohol after a fight with his girlfriend and then became more agitated when he thought someone had stolen his money.

Christopher Lang, 41, became upset when he walked to Road Ranger on 8th Avenue in Marion to buy more liquor but couldn't because he had insufficient funds, according to an affidavit for a search warrant filed Tuesday in Linn County District Court. Lang thought someone had stolen from his account and his agitation turned violent.

Details in the search warrant reveal events of the night that led to Lang being shot by police.

Lang couldn't find a cigarette lighter and started flipping over the furniture and broke a bottle and attempted to cut his neck, according to the search warrant. Kelly Love, Lang's roommate, tried to stop Lang but he punched her with his fist.

Marcus Ruth, a teenager who also lived at the residence, attempted to protect Love and picked up a hammer, according to search warrant. Lang got the hammer away from Ruth and stuck him in the head. Another woman, Susan Taube, also in the house, was assaulted by Lang.

Marion Police arrived and yelled for Lang to come out of the apartment but Lang refused, according to search warrant. Three officers then entered and found Lang with a broken bottle in one hand and the hammer in the other. He started cutting his neck with the broken bottle.

According to the criminal complaint, Lang told the officers he “wanted to die tonight.”

One of the officers discharged a taser toward Lang but it was ineffective, according to search warrant. Lang then raised the hammer towards the officers and one of officers shot Lang in the right torso area, which was ruled as justified.

Lang was treated at St. Luke's Hospital and released a few days later.

Lang has been charged with one felony count of assault on a peace officer while displaying a dangerous weapon, three aggravated misdemeanor charges of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and a simple misdemeanor count of interference with official acts.

If  convicted, he faces up to 11 years in prison.

His previous criminal history includes drunken driving, several assault, and drug charges.