Hiawatha man charged in Cedar Rapids homicide

A Hiawatha man was charged Tuesday in the fatal shooting of Andre Herron, who was killed in November, and his cousin is being held as a material witness.

Donovan A. Ross, 19, was charged with first-degree murder in Linn County District Court. According to the criminal complaint, he is accused of aiding and abetting or causing the death of Herron, 30, who was found in the street at 826 Seventh St. SW Nov. 26.

Justin Ross, 18, his cousin, who is being held as a material witness in the case, also appeared in court Tuesday. He was arrested Monday in Waterloo on a warrant. There are no further details available regarding Justin Ross.

A judge set $100,000 cash-only bonds for both men. A preliminary hearing was set for Donovan Ross for Dec. 23.

"My brother and cousin are innocent," said a woman at Tuesday's hearing. She declined to be identified.

According to a criminal complaint, Donovan Ross with malice aforethought did shoot a .22 caliber revolver at Herron with premeditation, willfully and deliberately with the intent to kill Herron. The shooting occurred shortly before another person, acting with him, fired a .45 caliber revolver with the intent to kill Herron or cause his death.

Last week, Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Besler applied for a warrant to arrest Donovan Ross as a material witness. Multiple witnesses placed Donovan Ross at the scene when Herron was shot, according to the application.

Multiple witnesses and other evidence also indicate Donovan Ross obtained a hotel room, where he stayed with another suspect after the crime occurred, according to the application.

After Herron was killed, investigators confirmed two shots were reported in the area that night, but no further details of the shooting have been released.

According to online court records, Herron has a criminal history that includes drug possession, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and interference with official acts.