Jury convicts Cedar Rapids man for firing pellet gun at officers, house

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man was convicted this week for firing multiple shots at a house with a pellet gun and then firing more shots at two police officers, striking one officer’s hand in March 2022.

A Linn County jury Monday found Leo Bushnell, 38, guilty of two counts of second-degree criminal mischief, two counts of assault on a peace officer with a dangerous weapon, all felonies, and possession of explosive/incendiary materials, an aggravated misdemeanor. He was found not guilty of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The jury deliberated over two hours on Monday following three days of testimony.

According to a criminal complaint, Bushnell, armed with an air-rifle pellet gun, shot out several windows of a house in the 200 block of 15th Street SE on March 23, 2022. When police officers arrived to investigate, Bushnell shot at Officer Timothy Brown as he exited the house. The projectile didn’t strike Brown.

Officers traced the shooter to a nearby residence at 1503 Second Ave. SE, Apt. A, but the occupant, later identified as Bushnell, refused requests to open the door, the complaint stated.

A search warrant was obtained and when Officer Jared Jupin entered, Bushnell fired at the officer, striking his hand, and a second shot struck his shield before Bushnell was taken into custody.

Police found several BB guns and pellet guns in Bushnell’s apartment, along with a homemade Molotov cocktail and a pipe used to smoke marijuana, according to the complaint.

Bushnell faces up to 18 years in prison, but the prosecution is asking the court to find Bushnell a habitual offender because he has been convicted of two or more previous felonies.

A bench — non-jury — trial is set for Sept. 22 and a judge will determine habitual offender status. If Bushnell is found to be a habitual offender, he faces 15-year sentences on each felony.

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