Teen shot by Cedar Rapids police at Advance Auto arrested

The man who was shot by police at Advance Auto Parts in September has been arrested.

According to a Linn County criminal complaint, Matthew T. Johnson, of Cedar Rapids, has been charged with second-degree burglary and second-degree criminal mischief. Johnson was charged on Thursday, the day he turned 18.

Police said Johnson was shot more than once by Cedar Rapids police officer Zachary McKinstry on Sept. 21. McKinstry remains on leave while the shooting is investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

According to police and court documents, Johnson went to Advance Auto Parts, 3910 Center Point Road NE, just before 7 a.m. on Sept. 21. Johnson was seen kicking a car in the parking lot, causing $1,200 in damage. When a store employee approached Johnson, the teenager turned toward the employee. The employee retreated back inside Advance Auto Parts, and court documents state Johnson forced his way into the business "with the intent to commit an assault or theft."

Police said McKinstry arrived on the scene at 7:07 a.m. A minute later, the officer reported shots were fired and he requested backup. He and the employee were not injured, but Johnson was shot a yet-unknown number of times

DCI Agent Darrell Simmons said Friday he is still waiting on some information before he can conclude his investigation. He said he doesn't have a timetable for when the investigation will be completed.

Though the investigation is ongoing, police chief Wayne Jerman has said he is comfortable with the pace of the inquiry. When the DCI's investigation is complete, it will be turned over to Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden, who will decide whether or not McKinstry was justified in the shooting.