Murder case lost amidst flood chaos

By Alicia Ebaugh

The Gazette

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Police found Aubrey Young shot dead between two cars in the 200 block of 16th Street SE nearly a month ago. Still not much else is known about his death -- the circumstances are unclear and no suspects have been identified. Few witnesses have come forward.

Under normal circumstances, the June 15 murder of Young, 35, would have been given more publicity, said Cedar Rapids police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin. But the city was experiencing one of the greatest crises it will ever face.

"Here's this young man killed in the middle of a flood that had nothing to do with his death, and we weren't able to give it the attention it deserved," she said. "We want to be able to do him justice."

If anyone was in the area of the 200 block of 16th Street SE between 2 and 2:15 a.m. and saw or heard anything suspicious or has not come forward with information about this homicide, contact Cedar Rapids police at (319) 286-5400 with information and your name.

The Cedar Rapids Crime Stoppers hot line at 1-800-CR-CRIME (272-7463). has also just been reconnected, and information can be provided anonymously. If you call the Crime Stoppers hot line and the information leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a reward.

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