CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids Police are investigating a shooting at Taboo Nightclub and Lounge, 415 3rd St SE in downtown Cedar Rapids that happened at 1:27a.m. early Sunday morning.
Police say two people were killed, and at least 10 were injured in the shooting. They have been taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Police are asking people that may have been inside of the club to give them any details they can about the shooting saying anyone “present at the time of the shooting or with knowledge of the incident” is asked to contact investigators.’
The nightclub shooting happened hours after an off-duty Cedar Rapids police officers’ home was ‘targeted’ in a separate shooting.
According to Cedar Rapids police chief Wayne Jerman, that ‘targeted’ shooting that happened at around 11:30 Saturday night, “multiple shots were fired at and struck the officer’s home, garage, and take-home squad car”
Chief Jerman said, “Evidence points to this being a targeted shooting toward a sworn peace officer. It was deliberate. It was an act of intimidation and violence and we will not tolerate it. We pursue all shots-fired incidents as serious, senseless actions and as such, receive our complete attention through the full legal process.”
The off-duty officer was not injured.
Cedar Rapids Police were in the area of the downtown club patrolling when the shooting happened and were able to immediately respond.
Officers are interviewing witnesses and Crime Scene Investigators are still at the scene, however officials say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell has issued a statement on the shooting saying,
“Our hearts are with those impacted by the incident last night. This is not who we are. I want to thank our police officers for their swift response last night and their hard work every day keeping us safe,” Adding, “We as citizens need to do our part too. We must head off incidents like this before they happen. That means respecting one another, resolving issues peacefully and holding ourselves accountable. That’s how we build the safe and welcoming community we all want for Cedar Rapids.”
Violent crime in Iowa spiked in 2020 according to FBI statistics, Iowa agencies reported 303 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2020, which is the highest rate in at least 10 years and up 5.5% from 2019.
In Cedar Rapids, Police say there were at least 432 violent crimes in 2020 – the most since 2008 and up 10.2% from 2019.
The crime in Cedar Rapids continued to skyrocket in 2021. In fact, the Cedar Rapids Police Department 2021 Crime Statistics and Analysis Report that was released earlier this year indicated that there was a large increase in violent crimes. Chief Wayne Jerman saying,
“The rise and what was categorized as violent crime is concerning.”
