Coralville man charged with attempted murder after Iowa City shooting

A Coralville man has been charged with attempted murder in relation to a shooting in Iowa City on July 4, according to a news release from the Iowa City Police Department.

Devwon Bledsoe, 37, is charged with attempted murder, going armed with intent and willful injury in relation to the shooting. He was previously arrested and charged with assault causing bodily injury, participating in a riot, possession of dangerous weapons while under the influence, person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons, interference with official acts, driving while license suspended and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Iowa City Police responded to the 2600 Block of Westwinds Drive on July 4 at about 1 a.m. for a report of a shooting. A man was found suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds and was taken to the hospital to be treated, according to the release.

Criminal complaints for Bledsoe’s charges of participating in a riot and assault causing bodily injury state that he was seen on surveillance video as part of a group of 10-15 people who used “unlawful force … against another person.” Bledsoe can reportedly be seen on video striking someone from behind who was walking away from him, and then kicking that person after they are on the ground.

Additional complaints filed with the attempted murder, going armed with intent and willful injury charges state that through witness statements and video, police determined Bledsoe was “the person who went armed with a dangerous weapon (firearm), with the intent to use that weapon against the victim, without justification, in a manner intended to cause the victim’s death.” The complaints do not state whether Bledsoe was the person who shot the victim.

The name of the victim has not been released by law enforcement.

A warrant was issued for Bledsoe’s arrest Friday on the riot and assault charges, and he was arrested that same day. Police found Bledsoe driving a Blue Chevrolet Spark in Coralville and pulled him over. When officers attempted to arrest Bledsoe, he tried to run and had to be physically restrained. He was in possession of three bags of fentanyl and a loaded .22 caliber pistol. There was also a small amount of marijuana in the car he was driving, according to criminal complaints.

Bledsoe had his initial appearance on the drug and riot charges Tuesday, and was being held on a $25,000 bond.

The attempted murder, going armed with intent and willful injury charges were filed Wednesday, and Bledsoe has yet to appear in court on those charges.

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