Trial set next year for Cedar Rapids man accused in Taboo nightclub shooting

CEDAR RAPIDS — A March 28 trial date has been set for one of the two men accused in the April 10 shootings at the Taboo Nightclub and Lounge that killed two people and injured 10.

Timothy Rush, 32, of Cedar Rapids, has pleaded not guilty to 15 charges in Linn County District Court: 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.

A judge on Thursday set his trial date.

According to a criminal complaint, 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 Marvin Cox, who was shot in the head.

He then “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 states Rush also shot Alazia Cotton and Makayla Stokes, causing them serious injuries, and Traniece Worley, Denise Triplett and Richard Nicksion, who suffered bodily injuries.

The complaint stated 10 people were shot, but does not name the other victims.

A surveillance video showed Rush running out of the club after the shooting, and a video from earlier in the night showed Rush with a firearm, 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 bail remains at $1.5 million cash or surety for the murder charge.

The other man charged in the shootings, Dimione Walker, 29, is accused of fatally shooting Michael Valentine, 25.

Federal marshals arrested Walker near Chicago on April 18. He remains in jail there, pending being extradited back to Iowa.

When he is returned to Iowa, Walker will be formally charged with first-degree murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, going armed with intent and felon in possession of a firearm.

Walker also was wanted by Illinois authorities in connection with parole violations for possession of a weapon.

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