Suspect arrested in fatal gas station shooting in northeast Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - A suspect in the fatal shooting of a 27-year-old Illinois man last October at a Kum & Go in northeast Cedar Rapids was arrested Thursday in Aurora, Ill.

Cedar Rapids police said Todd R. Jenkins, 24, of the Quad Cities area, was arrested in connection with the shooting death of Reginald Ward of Moline, Ill. Authorities said Jenkins was found at a hotel around 7:40 p.m. with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service-Great Lakes Regional Task Force.

Police said Jenkins attempted to flee by jumping from a second-story window, but was quickly taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to the Kane County Jail and later transferred to the Kendall County Jail for charges in that jurisdiction.

Cedar Rapids authorities said Jenkins will be extradited to the Linn County Jail on charges of first-degree murder and going armed with intent.

Ward was shot and killed Oct. 30 at a Kum & Go gas station at 3132 First Ave. NE. He died the following morning at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital.

According to the criminal complaint, Jenkins drove from Davenport to Cedar Rapids with a loaded handgun and waited outside his ex-girlfriend's apartment to confront Ward.

When Ward left the residence, the defendant engaged in a road rage incident with Ward and his girlfriend.

The vehicles eventually stopped at a gas station, where police said Jenkins shot Ward.

Afterward, Jenkins returned to the Quad Cities, police said. He was identified by eyewitnesses and through surveillance video.

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