Man arrested after threatening bar staff in Iowa City with loaded gun

IOWA CITY — A man was arrested in downtown Iowa City last weekend after police say he threatened the staff at Elray’s Live & Dive with a stolen gun.

Alex Bwayonga, 18, is facing felony charges of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, trafficking a stolen weapon used in a crime, and control of a firearm by a felon.

Bwayonga, of Rock Island, Ill., is also facing aggravated misdemeanor charges of using a dangerous weapon and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.

Iowa City police were called to Elray’s, 211 Iowa Ave., just after midnight Sunday.

After getting kicked out of the bar, Bwayonga allegedly verbally threatened staff, pulled out a loaded gun and pointed it at bar staff, according to criminal complaints. A University of Iowa Hawk Alert that was sent to students reported that Bwayonga was wearing all black and a ski mask.

No shots were fired, according to the alert.

Bwayonga fled, but was located by officers. He denied being involved and carrying a gun, but officers allegedly found the gun in his waistband during a pat-down, police said in the complaint.

Bwayonga fought officers when they attempted to arrest him and “feigned a medical condition,” according to the complaint. Bwayonga refused to identify himself.

He received care at the scene and was evaluated at a hospital before his arrest, according to police.

The gun was stolen out of Linn County, the complaint said.

Iowa City police could not provide additional information about the stolen gun — including where it was stolen from, how Bwayonga got the gun and when it was reported stolen — because it is part of the ongoing investigation or related to another agency.

Bwayonga had his initial appearance Monday.

He is being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $14,000 cash or surety bond. The alleged victim has filed a temporary no-contact order against Bwayonga.

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