Police: Suspect told others of killing; 19-year-old charged in C.R. murder case

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Police say Jacovan D. Bush told two others he fired the gun that killed Thomas Horvath and buried it after fleeing the scene, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday.

The Tuesday night shooting outside Raintree Apartments, 4950 16th Ave. SW, was the culmination of an ongoing conflict between two groups of young men who arranged to meet in the apartment parking lot after another confrontation earlier Tuesday, Cedar Rapids police Lt. Kenneth Washburn said.

Police say Bush, 19, of Fairfax, produced a gun and fired several rounds that struck Horvath, 19, of Cedar Rapids, around 10:30 p.m. Horvath died about eight hours later from gunshot wounds to his head and abdomen.

"He was a great kid and loved his family," said Nick Horvath, 48, of Kansas City, Mo. -- one of the victim's five brothers.

Thomas Horvath, remembered by family as someone who enjoyed music, cars, fishing, camping and video games, was enrolled at Metro High School in Cedar Rapids last fall before he transferred to the Lincoln Learning Center.

Funeral services are scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday in Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories.

Washburn said there is no indication the conflict was drug or gang related. He said police won't divulge evidence about the original cause of the fight before a trial.

An employee at Wendy's, 362 33rd Ave SW, who declined to give his name, confirmed some of those involved Tuesday had worked together at the restaurant, but neither he nor the manager would comment further.

Cedar Rapids and Marion police arrested Bush late Wednesday without incident at 590 Bentley Drive, No. 5, in Marion, and charged him with first-degree murder. He is in the Linn County Correctional Facility on $1 million bond.

At his initial appearance Thursday in Linn County District Court, Bush spoke only two words, twice replying yes to Judge Marty Hagge's questions about his public defender for a previous offense.

Bush's father sat at the back of the room and cried during the brief appearance.

Bush's grandmother, Earline Pledge of Cedar Rapids, said Bush was living with his mother in Fairfax.

"Jake's a very good boy," she said after attending the appearance. "I just can't see him doing that. Things happen, so you just don't know, but I just can't imagine Jake killing anyone.'"

Court records show Bush was charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree robbery in November 2007, but was free after posting 10 percent of his $20,000 bond.

The complaint alleges Bush entered an apartment at Kirkwood Community College with other suspects and threatened to shoot the occupants.

Bush's preliminary hearing for the murder charge was set for 8:30 a.m. April 25. He is being represented by public defender Kjas Long of Cedar Rapids.

Gazette staff writers Jeff Raasch, Erika Binegar and Stephen Schmidt co-authored this report.

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