Police searching for man convicted in drive-by shooting who escaped Cedar Rapids facility

CEDAR RAPIDS - Authorities are looking for a work release inmate after he left a Cedar Rapids residential facility without permission and did not return.

Romier C. Porter walked away Tuesday afternoon from the Gerald R. Hinzman Residential Center at 1051 29th Ave. SW, according to the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Porter, 23, is described as an African-American man who is 5-foot-5 and weighs 217 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility June 13.

Court records show Porter was convicted in 2016 of willful injury after he pleaded to the charge via Alford plea. An Alford plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but admits the prosecution has enough evidence to win a conviction.

Porter initially was charged with attempted murder in May 2016 when witnesses identified him as the shooter in a drive-by incident in Des Moines that injured a man.

The criminal complaint states witnesses said Porter was seated in the vehicle's front passenger seat when he fired several shots at a group of people, striking Bruce McGee in the abdomen.

Comments: (319) 398-8238; kat.russell@thegazette.com