116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Cedar Rapids man charged with murder after Wednesday shooting
The victim was taken by private vehicle to a hospital, where he died
Sep. 11, 2025 9:30 am, Updated: Sep. 11, 2025 12:52 pm
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CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder after a fatal shooting in northeast Cedar Rapids.
Kaleek Lewis, 23, of Cedar Rapids is being held in the Linn County Jail on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, going armed with intent, and use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime.
At about 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to the 100 block of 27th Street NE for a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they learned the victim — Dedric Arnold, 23 — was being taken by private vehicle to a hospital for treatment of an apparent gunshot wound, according to a press release from the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Arnold later died from his injuries, the release states.
According to criminal complaints, Lewis shot at Arnold and another man, Morris Gray, while they were approaching a residence at 129 27th Street NE to talk with an individual about some lost property.
Heather Brown had been installing flooring at a house across the street on Wednesday and was outside putting tools back in her work van when the shooting happened.
“I saw two gentlemen. I thought they were early 20s, walking past my vehicle with their shirts off. They just looked like they were ready to fight,” Brown said. “(The shooter) comes out of the back door, and doesn’t even say, ‘I’ve got a gun, stay off my property, I’m warning you,’ nothing like that. He just came out, held up a weapon ... three to four shots pop off.”
Brown went inside after the shooting started, but when she came out a few minutes later, she saw the victim had been loaded into a silver car, which left to take him to the hospital.
Kossi Kokou, a neighbor, said he doesn’t know the people who live in the house very well. He wasn’t home when the shooting happened, but his car, which was parked in the street, was hit by gunshots.
A vehicle belonging to a neighbor on the street where Kaleek Lewis is accused of shooting Dedric Arnold was hit by gunfire. (Emily Andersen, The Gazette)
A vehicle belonging to a neighbor on the street where Kaleek Lewis is accused of shooting Dedric Arnold was hit by gunfire. (Emily Andersen, The Gazette)
A vehicle belonging to a neighbor on the street where Kaleek Lewis is accused of shooting Dedric Arnold was hit by gunfire. (Emily Andersen, The Gazette)
Nearby, Trailside Elementary School was placed in secure status for a short time for safety, but the school was not involved in the incident, according to the police department.
The Cedar Rapids Community School District has not yet responded to a request for comment sent Thursday morning.
Lewis had his first appearance in court Thursday morning and is being held on a cash-only $1 million bond. A no-contact order was filed on behalf of Gray.
Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com
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