Second man arrested in fatal Cedar Rapids shooting

CEDAR RAPIDS — A second man has been arrested in relation to a fatal shooting in January in Cedar Rapids, according to authorities.

Jeremiah Coop, 22, previously of Cedar Rapids, is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree robbery, a news release from Cedar Rapids police states. He was booked Tuesday into the Linn County Jail and has yet to appear in court.

Coop is accused in the death of Mohamed Tawfik, 22, who police found with two gunshot wounds in his car Jan. 8 in the 5600 block of Kirkwood Boulevard SW. He was taken to a hospital where he died. Police had been called at 7:22 p.m. for a report of shots fired in the area.

On Feb. 3, Paris Diamond, 21, of Cedar Rapids was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent in connection with the shooting.

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A criminal complaint against Diamond said he had been texting Tawfik before his death, and the two had agreed to meet at Eagle’s Point Apartments at 5504 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, where Diamond would buy drugs from Tawfik.

A witness at the scene told police that Tawfik and another man had been shouting at each other, and the other man approached Tawfik’s vehicle before Tawfik attempted to drive away but swerved off the road in the 5600 block of Kirkwood Blvd. SW, according to the complaint.

Diamond entered a plea of not guilty Feb. 6, and a jury trial is scheduled for Aug. 15. He’s being held on a $1 million bail.

A criminal complaint for Coop was not available Tuesday. Coop is listed as a planned defense witness in Diamond’s trial.

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