Cedar Rapids officer-involved shooting investigation in hands of county attorney

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has completed its investigation into the Oct. 20 fatal officer-involved shooting in northwest Cedar Rapids.

DCI Special Agent in Charge Richard Rahn said last week that its investigation into the shooting had finished and been turned over to Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden. On Sunday, Vander Sanden confirmed in an email he had received the report and it was under review.

'I will issue a news release, which will include my written findings of fact and conclusions of law, as soon as I have conducted a thorough and comprehensive review of the DCI report,” Vander Sanden wrote.

Jonathan T. Gossman, 21, of Cedar Rapids was killed after he ran away from, and later fired at, Cedar Rapids police officers Lucas Jones and Bryson Garringer after a traffic stop that was part of a narcotics investigation. Neither Jones nor Garringer were injured in the exchange.

The officers, who both fired at Gossman, remain on paid administrative leave.

The incident began around 10:30 p.m. Oct. 20, when the vehicle Gossman was riding in was pulled over in the 3200 block of Ravenwood Terrace NW after the three people in the vehicle were believed to have been involved in a drug-related activity at a drugstore in the area. Police have not elaborated on what that activity was, or that aspect of the investigation.

The traffic stop was initiated by a plainclothes officer in an unmarked car, but a uniformed officer with a K-9 was summoned before the stop. Police Chief Wayne Jerman said there was 'no doubt” Gossman knew he was shooting at police.

Once the vehicle pulled over, Gossman got out and ran, police said. The two officers and K-9 gave chase and located him within a block less than 10 minutes later. Police said when the officers attempted to take Gossman into custody, he drew a firearm and fired at them. The officers returned fire and Gossman was killed.