Cedar Rapids man pleads to lesser charges in burglary, fatal shooting in 2020

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man, already serving a prison term for burglary, pleaded to lesser charges last month in a burglary and fatal shooting from 2020.

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Damontie Lee Haggstrom-Wells, 23, originally charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder, pleaded last week to voluntary manslaughter, third-degree attempted burglary, going armed with intent and willful injury causing serious injury. His trial was set to start Tuesday in Linn County District Court.

According to a criminal complaint, Haggstrom-Wells fatally shot Daniel Spangler, 69, on May 22, 2020. Spangler was found dead on his kitchen floor when police responded to a welfare check at 508 B Ave. NW. Spangler died from a gunshot injury to his chest.

During the investigation, officers found a bullet hole through the first-floor kitchen window of Spangler’s home. They also found a palm print on the window, which they believed might lead to a suspect.

Two days before the Spangler shooting, another burglary and shooting at an apartment in southwest Cedar Rapids helped police identify a Haggstrom-Wells as the suspect in Spanger’s killing.

In that burglary, on May 21, 2020, Bobby Jimmerson told police several people kicked in his apartment door and demanded money, according to court documents. One of the intruders then shot Jimmerson in the left leg and right hand.

During that investigation, officers found three shell casings at Jimmerson’s apartment. Those shell casings and the ones found at Spangler’s house showed they were fired from the same weapon.

The analysis and comparison of the shell casings and the palm print led them to one suspect — Haggstrom-Wells. A witness also came forward, identifying Haggstrom-Wells as the person who shot both Jimmerson and Spangler.

Officers found surveillance video from a residence across the street from Spangler’s home, showing four individuals approaching his home in the early morning of May 21, 2020. The witness identified Haggstrom-Wells as one of the four people.

After nearly two years of investigation, police had no concerns about finding Haggstrom-Wells because he already was in jail on another charge.

Haggstrom-Wells had been arrested in December 2020 for another burglary that happened just two days before Jimmerson and Spangler were shot, at a home nearby at 416 Jacolyn Dr. SW, on May 19, 2020.

Haggstrom-Wells was charged with first-degree burglary for forcibly entering that apartment, along with other suspects, and assaulting Mark Postel, according to a criminal complaint. He punched Postel multiple times in the head and face. Postal was admitted to the hospital for his injuries, the complaint stated.

DNA evidence and fingerprints collected from the scene matched Haggstrom-Wells, who also admitted to participating in the burglary, according to court documents.

In June 2021, Haggstrom-Wells pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree burglary and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the Postel burglary.

Haggstrom-Wells was charged in March 2023 for the other two burglaries and fatal shooting.

Haggstrom-Wells faces up to 25 years in prison. His sentencing is set for Feb. 27.

Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal courts for The Gazette

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com