Chicago man arrested in Iowa City for 2013 threats against ex-girlfriend, children

IOWA CITY - A Chicago man has been arrested for threats he made against his ex-girlfriend and sons in late 2013.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, on Dec. 5, 2013, the victim received a text message from 31-year-old Mark C. Wilder indicating he was going to kill her and their children 'the minute he laid eyes on them.” About 30 minutes later, police received a phone call from Wilder during which he said he would find his ex-girlfriend and 'choke her until her lifeless body falls on the floor,” according to complaints.

'I'm going to take my gun and shoot both of my sons,” Wilder allegedly told police. 'Once I'm sure they're all dead. I'm going to put the gun to my head and kill myself.”

Police said Wilder made similar threats of violence weeks earlier.

On Oct. 22, 2013, Wilder called the Shelter House in Iowa City and demanded to speak with the mother of his children, who was staying there. Shelter House staff explained that Wilder could not speak with her through the number he had called. Police said Wilder got angry and told the staff member the front desk staff should 'look out,” because he is 'just gonna come through there shooting.”

Police said the Shelter House staff have had issues with Wilder in the past and take his threat seriously. Several months before the October 22 call, Wilder allegedly sent the mother of his children a picture of a gun.

Wilder was booked at the Johnson County Jail on Wednesday. He faces two counts of first-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor.