Iowa City man accused of assaulting, at random, two University of Iowa employees

IOWA CITY — A 56-year-old Iowa City man is facing misdemeanor assault charges, accused of hitting two University of Iowa employees “in the back of the head, with no justification, causing pain” on Monday morning.

Douglas Hughs Johnson, who lists his address as Iowa City’s Shelter House, was arrested at 9:55 a.m. after the incident outside the UI Seamans Center at 103 Capitol St., which houses the College of Engineering.

He was booked in the Johnson County Jail at 1:06 p.m. and released at 7:30 p.m. Monday, according to the Johnson County Jail log.

Seven hours later, Iowa City police stopped Johnson at 2:34 a.m. Tuesday in a Ford van on suspicion of reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage, not having a valid driver’s license and failing to provide proof of financial liability.

UI College of Engineering administrators sent an email to staff about the incident Tuesday morning, reporting, “There is no further threat.”

“We recognize that this event has been traumatic for those involved as well as unsettling and disturbing for our entire college community,” UI College of Engineering Human Resources Director Cathy Koebrick wrote in the email. “We are grateful that UI Public Safety was able to take this individual into custody.”

In the email, Koebrick confirmed the people assaulted and Johnson did not know each other. She offered resources to faculty and staff through the employee assistance program.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com