Police investigating shots fired incident in southeast Cedar Rapids

Shell casings were found at the scene, no injuries were reported

May. 17, 2021 3:27 pm, Updated: May. 17, 2021 4:12 pm

Cedar Rapids Police Department cruiser at night with emergency lights (Cropped CRPD photo from November 2019)

CEDAR RAPIDS — Police are investigating after reports of gunfire Monday morning near Park Avenue and 19th Street SE in Cedar Rapids.

Cedar Rapids police said officers responded to the area just before 11 a.m. and found shell casings in the 180 block of Park Avenue SE. They also found evidence that a vehicle had been struck by bullets.

The incident happened near Johnson STEAM Academy, 355 18th St. SE, while school was in session. Colleen Scholer, communications director for the Cedar Rapids Community School District, said the school was partially locked down for a little over an hour as a precaution.

During the partial lockdown, Scholer said any students that may have been outside were brought inside and all exterior doors were locked. Screening procedures continued before anyone was allowed inside the school.

The partial lockdown ended at 12:20 p.m., Scholer said.

Police said no injuries were reported and no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.

Police said based on preliminary information, the shooting appeared to be targeted.

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

Grace King of The Gazette contributed to this report.