Woman arrested in connection with Wal-Mart shooting faces more charges

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids woman arrested in connection with the Jan. 7 shooting at Wal-Mart also faces a host of drug charges.

According to the Cedar Rapids Police Department and court records, 24-year-old Samalina A. Alicea faces two counts of controlled substance violation and single counts of Iowa drug tax stamp violation and possession of drug paraphernalia. Those charges are in addition to one count of conspiracy to commit a forcible felony filed against her in connection with the Wal-Mart shooting.

Alicea was arrested at her residence on Sinclair Avenue SE at 12:15 a.m. Tuesday. Public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said police determined Alicea had heroin and marijuana she intended to deliver, as well as a glass bong and a scale.

Alicea is the lone person arrested in connection with the Wal-Mart shooting. Police responded to the Blairs Ferry Road NE location at 8:13 p.m. Jan. 7 and found multiple shell casings at the store, which was open at the time of the shooting. There were no injuries or property damage reported, police said.

The actual shooter has not been identified by police. The criminal complaint for the conspiracy charges alleges Alicea worked with others to 'discharge a firearm within an assembly of people ... with the intent to provoke fear with those people.”

Citing the ongoing investigation, Buelow said police could not comment on Alicea's arrest.