Iowa City police investigate Monday gunshot reports, potentially related to shots fired at Mercer Park

IOWA CITY - Iowa City police are investigating two reports of gunfire that could be related to shots fired near a crowded park last week.

Officers took a report of shots fired around 12:45 a.m. Monday near Benton and Michael streets, according to the police department. The caller said he was in his van when one of the windows was damaged by a bullet.

Police said nearby residents also reported hearing a gunshot.

Around 3:13 a.m. Monday, police received calls about multiple gunshots in the area of Wayne and Arthur streets.

Police said no injuries have been reported and no arrests have been made.

The police are investigating the incidents as possibly being related to the shots-fired incident Thursday in the 1200 block of Baker Street - roughly a block from Wayne and Arthur streets.

'These events are not thought to be random,” police said in a news release.

Police responded to the Baker Street incident around 5:51 p.m. Thursday. Police said shots were fired from one car to another.

Officers located the vehicles - a Chevrolet Lumina and a Chevrolet Malibu - and identified people of interest connected to the vehicles.

One vehicle was found on Esther Street, a short distance from Baker Street. The second was found on Sandusky Drive.

The Thursday incident happened near Mercer Park, which witnesses said was crowded with children and parents.

Police said they have increased their presence near Mercer Park while the investigations continue. A neighborhood meeting hosted by the police department was scheduled for Monday evening.

Residents with security cameras are asked to review their footage for anything related to the shooting.

Iowa City Area Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information related to any of these incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at iccrimestoppers.org or (319) 358-8477.

' Comments: (319) 339-3155; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com