Investigators still seeking leads as Cedar Rapids shooting victims leave hospital

Both young men shot on a Cedar Rapids street last week have been released from the hospital, but investigators face an uphill battle in finding the people responsible.

Two 20-year-olds were shot around 7:50 p.m. on March 29 as they walked along C Street near Rapids Avenue SW, police said. Neighbors said five to eight gunshots were fired in succession, leaving both men with injuries to their legs, and for one, a lower torso injury. Two occupied houses were struck by bullets.

One of the shooting victims has decided not to pursue charges, and the other man is still deciding, police said Thursday.

“They're not cooperating in giving us information, period,” Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said. “They're not being forthcoming. It's so frustrating on our part, because it looks like we're not doing our job.”

Investigators do not believe it was a random shooting, but have struggled to find links between the shooter or shooters and the victims.

One neighbor, who declined to be identified, said three people walked through Stejskal Park around dusk just before the gunshots rang out. The three suspects, believed to be men, ran northeast through the park toward some woods after the shooting, the neighbor said.

One of the victims managed to get to the back door of a nearby house, in an attempt to get help. The other was lying on the street near the intersection.

“He was belly flopping all the way across the street for all he was worth, like a carp out of water,” said the neighbor.

Police said the two victims gave an address on C Street SW where they said they were staying, but no one at that address knew of the men. Their names have not been released, out of concern for their protection, police said.

Hamblin said she can understand when victims are fearful of retribution, but said she believes it is a citizen's duty to help keep the community safe.

There might be other lesser charges that can be filed, even without the assistance from the victims, Hamblin said.

“We want to keep our citizens safe,” Hamblin said. “We still don't know what (the victim's) address is, but they apparently don't have ties to Cedar Rapids. If they don't want to keep the citizens of Cedar Rapids safe, we do.”

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME (272-7463) or text to CRIMES (274637), with 5227 in the subject or message area, along with the tip.