Wednesday shooting not a random act, Cedar Rapids police say

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Wednesday shooting in Cedar Rapids that left a woman hospitalized was not an 'random act,” authorities said.

Greg Buelow, Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman, did not elaborate on Thursday.

Buelow said the woman shot remains hospitalized and he did not have an update on her condition. On Wednesday evening, the 26-year-old woman's injuries were characterized as 'life-threatening.”

Police believe the woman was injured during a shooting around 4:30 p.m. in the 1300 block of L Avenue NE. Buelow said a red car was reported to be at the scene of the shooting and the woman is believed to have been in the car when she was shot. That same red car was used to transport the woman to the hospital.

Buelow said the vehicle has been taken as evidence. The driver of the car was also questioned, Buelow said.

Police are still trying to piece together what transpired in the shooting, including from where the shots came.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, two people have been arrested on unrelated charges. Gage M. Rupp, 22, was arrest on warrants for criminal trespass and third-degree theft. Cedric A. Wright Jr., 20, was arrested for providing false information and possession of a controlled substance.

A second shots fired incident that occurred later Wednesday evening does not appear to be related to the original shooting investigation, Buelow said. In that case, officers were called to the 300 block of 31st Street Drive SE around 7:50 p.m. Investigators found shell casings and discovered one home sustained damage.

Buelow said a search warrant was served on one residence and investigators are processing evidence. Charges are possible, Buelow said.

Both shootings remain under investigation.

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