Robbery turned shooting started out as drug deal, according to search warrant

Cedar Rapids - An 18-year-old man shot another 18-year-old over a drug deal dispute earlier this week, according to a search warrant filed in Linn County District Court.

According to the search warrant affidavit, Dmontrey R. Redmond, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with attempted murder and first-degree robbery on Monday after he pulled a gun on Alexander Ledvina and told Ledvina to give him all his money Jan. 27. Redmond was with another man, Jordan McCool, who was going to buy $290 of marijuana from Ledvina. There was also a third man with Redmond and McCool who was not identified by the affidavit.

When the deal went bad, Ledvina was in his car parked at St. Jude's Catholic Church, 3700 First Ave. NW, and the other men were standing outside his car.

Ledvina told Cedar Rapids police investigators that he tried to drive away but Redmond jumped into his car shot him as the two were fighting, according to the affidavit. Ledvina then crashed his car and Redmond and two other men ran away before Ledvina called 911.

Ledvina was taken by ambulance to St. Luke's Hospital for gunshot wounds to his right forearm and his right and left thighs, according to the affidavit.

During the investigation, police seized Ledvina's phone and verified the chain of events Ledvina told them.

Jordan McCool, who originally asked to buy marijuana from Ledvina, also corroborated Ledvina's version of the incident, according to the affidavit. McCool said he was not in Ledvina's car but saw Redmond and the third man in the car when the fight began. McCool said he heard some screaming and then a 'pop” as the car started to drive off. McCool said at this point he went back to his residence.

Investigators received information Feb. 6 that Redmond might be staying at a residence on 16th St. NE, according to the affidavit. Redmond was found at the residence and arrested on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance and in connection with the robbery and shooting. Officers found a 9 mm gun in Redmond's short's pockets, underneath his pants, when they brought him into the police department.

According to the affidavit, investigators didn't know at the time if the gun Redmond had on him was the same one from the shooting involving Ledvina.