Protesters demand answers in fatal shooting of Cedar Rapids man

CEDAR RAPIDS — About two dozen people gathered in front of the Linn County Courthouse on May’s Island at 6 p.m. Tuesday holding signs and calling for more information on the Aug. 30 fatal shooting of William Isaac Rich by Cedar Rapids police.

The people in the rally shouted, “Hands up, don’t shoot,” “Release the body” and “No justice, no peace.”

Many of the people then crossed the Third Avenue bridge and spoke with Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell and other city officials, who were at the McGrath Amphitheatre, on First Street SW, attending the City Manager’s 1-Bag Challenge cleanup event.

“As hard as it may be for all of us right now, we have to respect the process,” O’Donnell told The Gazette after speaking with the protesters, noting she respected their right to protest.

“The only thing we can guarantee as a city is we will do everything we can do to help in the investigation.”

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is in charge of the investigation.

Rich, 22, was armed when he was shot, although the type of weapon has not been specified, according to a new release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

State investigators report that Cedar Rapids police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at the Inn Circle, 5560 Sixth St. SW at about 12:55 a.m. that Tuesday. While two offers attempted to detain Rich, he brandished a weapon and officers fired their weapons, the release states.

About a week before he died, Rich pleaded guilty to one count of felony domestic abuse assault. He was given a suspended five-year prison sentence.

According to a criminal complaint from the case, the assault happened on May 8 at Inn Circle, the same location as the shooting on Tuesday.

The officer involved shooting is being investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at the request of the Cedar Rapids Police Department. The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the investigation.