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Cedar Rapids man faces life without parole in DoorDash delivery driver murder
Cameron Leonard, 26, was convicted of killing Myron Snyder, 21, in October 2023
Mar. 6, 2025 2:21 pm, Updated: Mar. 7, 2025 8:33 am
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CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man faces life in prison for fatally shooting 21-year-old Myron Snyder, a DoorDash delivery driver. Prosecutors argued two brothers “surrounded and ambushed” Snyder over alleged past conflicts.
A Linn County jury on Thursday found Cameron Leonard, 26, guilty of first-degree murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, going armed with intent, use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime, and being a person ineligible to carry a dangerous weapon.
Jurors deliberated just over four hours Thursday, following lengthy and late closings on Wednesday after hearing four days of testimony.
In the courtroom, Leonard showed no visible reaction when the judge read the verdicts. One of his family members told him they loved him after the hearing was over.
Snyder’s family also heard the verdicts and became emotional after the verdicts were read.
Families of both men were present throughout the trial.
“Today our hearts are with the family of Myron Snyder, Jr., who was taken away from them in a senseless and avoidable act of violence by the defendant, Cameron Leonard,” Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said after the verdict. “He was a son, a brother, a nephew and a beloved friend to many. He worked for the Boys & Girls Club. He was an impressive young man with a bright future. His death was a loss for all of us. He will be missed.”
Maybanks also thanked the jurors who participated in two days of jury selection and listened to four days of testimony and arguments and reached a “fair and just decision.” He acknowledged the Cedar Rapids Police Department — all the officers who responded to the scene and detectives and crime scene investigators — who provided evidence in this case.
He said he is “proud” of his team at the county attorney’s office for helping him and assistant prosecutor Shayl Wilson get this case to trial.
Testimony
Leonard testified he shot Snyder several times in defense of himself and his brother, Maurice Brown, in the parking lot of Brown's apartment complex at 3690 Sherman St. NE, on Oct. 5, 2023. Leonard claimed Brown had some past conflicts with Snyder from high school.
Leonard also admitted he and his brother had a previous conflict with Snyder because Snyder wanted to date their sister and they were against it.
The prosecution argued Snyder returned fire in self-defense after Brown fired three times at the front of Snyder’s car, as Snyder tried to get away after being confronted and fighting with Brown.
Police investigators showed jurors 3D laser scanner videos and numerous diagrams last week to recreate what happened. The scanner videos depicted the actions and movements of the men with color-coded initials above the heads of the blurry or white shadows shown on the surveillance video.
Sgt. Sean Kinkead, who was a crime scene investigator in 2023, said after Brown fired three shots at the front of Snyder’s car, he walked around to the driver’s side and exchanged fire with Snyder while Snyder remained in the car. Leonard was standing at the front of the car, with his gun drawn.
A third man, Pierre Morrow, appeared with Brown and Leonard — his stepsons. Morrow, also charged in this case, remained near them in the parking lot around Snyder’s car when shots were fired. The video also showed he drove his car through the crime scene to another parking space, then continued to stand nearby and watch.
After Brown was struck and fell to the ground, Leonard moved over to near the driver’s side and started firing. Snyder fired back, Kinkead testified.
Leonard started moving toward the rear of the car. He fired multiple times through the back windshield, striking Snyder’s car seat. One bullet penetrated the seat and into Snyder’s back, which a medical examiner testified could have been a fatal injury.
At that point, Snyder got out of the car and went to the ground, shooting from around the bumper or trunk up at Leonard, who was still behind the car. Leonard returned shots and then crouched down to reload his gun.
The video showed Leonard going around to front of car and then he was seen on the ground on the driver’s side, feet away from Brown and Snyder.
Both Brown and Snyder were killed in the shooting. Leonard was injured.
Autopsies
Snyder had six gunshot wounds, Brown had seven, according to a medical examiner, and Leonard testified he had six injuries.
Brown’s injuries included gunshot wounds to his head, neck and chest, which were all fatal wounds, Dr. Kelly Kruse, an associate Iowa State Medical Examiner testified.
Snyder’s autopsy showed the gunshot that entered his head was consistent with a close range shot and was fatal. The three gunshot wounds to the left side of his chest also were fatal injuries.
Leonard’s testimony
Leonard, during trial on Tuesday, testified he wasn’t worried that his memory of the shooting didn’t match up to what is shown on a surveillance video.
Leonard admitted his answers were inconsistent in two police audio interviews, which jurors heard, but he answered to the “best of his ability.”
Maybanks, during cross examination, said Leonard had issues recalling key moments during the gunfight. He couldn’t recall that he pointed his gun at Snyder or that Brown shot three times at Snyder. But he did recall Snyder shooting at him.
Leonard said he didn’t remember those things.
Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com
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