Police: C.R. man followed man to Hiawatha workplace for race-motivated attempted murder

CEDAR RAPIDS — A white Cedar Rapids man followed a man from a gas station to the man’s workplace in Hiawatha and fired two gunshots at him Friday because of the man’s race, according to a criminal complaint.

Joshua T. Barnhart, 31, had followed the man from Casey’s on 32nd Street NE in Cedar Rapids to Midland Concrete, 1395 Hawkeye Dr. in Hiawatha, where the man works. Barnhart then got out of his vehicle, pulled a Ruger SP101 handgun from his waistband and fired two shots at the man before fleeing, the complaint said.

Barnhart eluded officers until they used stop sticks on his vehicle.

According to the complaint, Barnhart said he had targeted the victim because of his race.

Barnhart has been charged with attempted murder, assault with intent to inflict serious injury with violation of individual rights, and going armed with intent, all felonies; assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor; and eluding, a serious misdemeanor.

He is being held on $500,000 cash-only bond.