Witness: Suspect, man who died after fight knew each other

A witness to a fight in the southeast quadrant of Cedar Rapids said today that the alleged suspect and the man who later died from severe head injuries knew each other.

Police arrested Henry Thomas Lee Rogers, 28, of 2725 O Ave. NW, after a brawl erupted on the sidewalk in front of 370 15th St. SE around 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Rogers is charged with Involuntary Manslaughter. He made an initial appearance in court this morning.

The first officers on the scene found Dustin Davis, 35, of Georgia, unconscious between the sidewalk and the street, Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said. Witnesses told police Rogers punched Davis in the head, causing Davis to fall and hit his head, according to a criminal complaint. Davis later died of his injuries.

Authorities have not said much about the victim in the case, but one person who witnessed the fight believes the victim and alleged suspect knew each other.

Theodore Perez, 26, of 370 15th St. S.E., said Rogers and Davis arrived in the same car together at the address where the incident occurred. Theodore Perez said Davis began to hassle his brother, Thomas Perez.

Theodore Perez said he was inside the home at the time, but learned later that Rogers threw the punch while defending his brother.

Police records show that Thomas Perez, 23, of Cedar Rapids, was arrested for disorderly conduct following the fight. Police said Perez, who lives at the house where the fight started, was pushing others during the fight.