Third person dies in Taboo nightclub shooting

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man accused of killing a woman April 10 at the Taboo Nightclub and Lounge likely will face updated charges because a man seriously injured that night has died.

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said Marvin Cox, 31, of Cedar Rapids, who was shot in the head, died from his injuries Sunday, July 24, and criminal charges against Timothy Rush, 32, will be updated.

Rush is accused of fatally shooting Nicole Owens, 35, his girlfriend and mother of his 1-year-old daughter, and of shooting and seriously injuring Cox, who had been on life support.

The other man charged in the shootings, Dimione Walker, is accused of fatally shooting Michael Valentine, 25.

Marie Mulkey, Cox’s mother, told The Gazette after the shooting that she had been spending every day with her son in the hospital.

“It’s very hard for us. He’s sitting in that hospital fighting for his life,” Mulkey said.

Rush now faces 15 felonies: second-degree murder; three counts of willful injury causing serious injury; intimidation with a dangerous weapon; three counts of reckless use of a firearm causing serious injury; three counts of willful injury causing bodily injury; three counts of reckless use of a firearm causing bodily injury; and felon in possession of a firearm.

The criminal complaint states that Rush “fired intentionally and indiscriminately,” with what police believe was a 9 mm handgun, into the large crowd at the club.

After further investigation, an amended complaint stated Rush also shot Alazia Cotton and Makayla Stokes, causing them serious injuries, and Traniece Worley, Denise Triplett and Richard Nicksion, who suffered bodily injuries.

According to the complaint, 10 people were shot, but the other victims are not named.

Rush was captured on video surveillance at the Taboo nightclub carrying a gun the morning of the shooting, a criminal complaint stated. The video also captured the shooting.

The video also showed Rush running out of the club after the shooting, according to the complaint.

During a bail review hearing in April, Rush’s lawyer said Rush was working security at Taboo that night, as he usually did on the weekends.

Police collected 9 mm shell casings from the area where Rush fired the gun into the crowd, according to the complaint. During a search of his home, police said they found a Hi-Point 9 mm firearm. A comparison to shell casings found at the club indicated it was the firearm used in the shootings, the complaint stated.

Rush’s trial is set for March 28. He remains in jail under a $1.5 million cash or surety bail.

Walker in Illinois

Walker, 29, who is accused of fatally shooting Michael Valentine, remains at the Stateville Prison in Joliet, Ill., on parole violations for possession of a weapon.

U.S. marshals arrested Walker near Chicago on April 18. Walker has waived extradition to Iowa.

Maybanks said last month his office is obtaining a governor’s warrant for Walker’s extradition and is working with Iowa and Illinois officials to return him to Cedar Rapids.

When Walker is back in Iowa, he will be charged with first-degree murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, going armed with intent and felon in possession of a firearm, according to the Linn County Attorney’s Office.

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