Sheriff: Arrests unlikely today in Coggon shooting investigation

COGGON - Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner said he doesn't anticipate any arrests today in the Coggon fatal shooting investigation.

While investigators are continuing to work the case, Gardner said that the 11 people interviewed the night of the shooting are no longer in custody.

'No one has been arrested,” he said. 'No one has been kept in custody. They were all released after the interviews.”

Authorities have a person of interest in the case, Gardner confirmed.

'We're working leads to confirm the identity of the shooter,” he said.

The autopsy of 20-year-old Dylan M. Plotz, of Cedar Rapids, is scheduled to take place today at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny. Gardner said he'll have deputies there to witness the autopsy and take evidentiary photos. Meanwhile, investigators back in Linn County will continue to process search warrants.

Gardner said warrants have been served on vehicles and properties believed to be tied to the investigation, including the residence southwest of Coggon where the shooting is alleged to have occurred. Authorities turned that property, 2260 Seven Hills Road, back over to the residents on Thursday.

Deputies were called to the home just before 6 p.m. Wednesday for a report of an altercation and a shooting. Plotz' body was found in the yard. After a search involving several agencies, three vehicles occupied by suspects or witnesses were located and several people were taken into custody.

Gardner said once the autopsy and search warrants have been completed, investigators plan to regroup and figure out where to go from there. The Linn County Attorney's Office has been updated on the investigation to date, Gardner said.

'I think it's safe to say all of our detectives are continuing to work on this case,” he said.

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