Man faces murder charge in Iowa City shooting

Iowa City police have arrested a man on murder charges after a fatal shooting last week on S. Gilbert Street.

Antavis Watson, 44, whose city of residence is listed as unknown in court documents, is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and control of a firearm by a felon.

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According to criminal complaints, Watson approached a car about noon in the 1800 block of S. Gilbert Street. There were two people in the car — Elijah Williams, 38, of Iowa City, and another person who was not named in the complaints.

The complaint states that Watson shot into the car several times, hitting Williams, who was taken to University of Iowa Health Care after police arrived. Williams died from his injuries.

The other occupant of the car was not hit, but was fearing for life, according to complaints.

Williams and Watson knew each other, and data from Williams’ phone indicates that they were “feuding,” according to complaints.

Watson was arrested Tuesday and had his first appearance in court Wednesday. He was being held in the Johnson County Jail on combined, cash-only bail totaling $1,255,000.

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