News Track: Fatal Coggon shooting

BACKGROUND

On Feb. 1, the Linn County Sheriff's Office responded to a fatal shooting at a home outside of Coggon. Here is what has happened since.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE

More than four months after Dylan Plotz, 20, was fatally shot at a residence in rural Coggon, the investigation is ongoing.

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner remains tight lipped about the status of the investigation.

'I can assure you, we are still actively working on the investigation,' Gardner said this past week. 'At this point in time, I'm really unable to say much more about it.'

Deputies were called to 2260 Seven Hills Road, about five miles southwest of Coggon, around 6 p.m. Feb. 1 for a report of fighting and shooting. Plotz' body was discovered in the yard. Authorities later took witnesses or suspects in three vehicles into custody, but no arrests were made.

An autopsy on Plotz — who was from Cedar Rapids — was later completed. Investigators also served multiple search warrants in the case. Vehicles and multiple properties, including the home where the shooting is alleged to have occurred, were searched.

Gardner cautioned early in the investigation that an arrest was not likely to happen quickly in the case.

'It's going to be a while, I can tell you that,' Gardner said a few days after the shooting.

Gardner said he is not concerned about the length of the investigation and added there is no timeline for its completion. Gardner said his office has been in contact with the Plotz family.

'The county attorney's office is involved in the investigation, as well,' he said.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com