Iowa City Police arrested a 23-year-old connected to a July 20 shooting in downtown Iowa City that injured two.
Iziah Poulsen of Coralville was arrested on Aug. 2 and charged with going armed with intent, participating in a riot, assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to inflict serious injury, reckless use of a firearm causing property damage and two counts of reckless use of a firearm causing bodily injury.
Poulsen was also charged with control of a firearm by a felon. He is prohibited from possessing firearms after a 2019 conviction for carrying weapons, though that charge was for using a BB gun.
More: ‘A major moment’: Renovations underway for Dream City’s $3 million ‘entrepreneurial hub’
Altercation sparks gunfire
Police say Poulsen allegedly was involved in an altercation with two other people on the night of July 20. He allegedly left the area, returning a short time later with a gun.
Poulsen then allegedly shot the firearm multiple times “in a reckless manner” and “in a crowded area.” One of the bullets struck an unarmed individual in the area. Another bullet “penetrated a taco cart” and grazed the hand of an employee.
Police also accuse Poulsen of shooting at and “pistol whipp(ing)” an individual who tried to disarm him.
More: Database reveals state of Iowa’s highest-paid employees
Shooting initiates HawkAlert
The incident prompted the University of Iowa to issue a HawkAlert at 1 a.m. on July 20, advising students and staff to avoid the area.
The charges — five Class “D” felonies and three aggravated misdemeanors — mean Poulsen is facing as many as 31 years in prison and hefty fines.
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Coralville man arrested for July Ped Mall shooting
Source Agencies
