UPDATE: The Female victim in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa mass shooting has been identified through social media posts as Nicole Owens.
The Aguayo News Investigative Team found numerous social media posts which identify Owens as a victim who was shot in the Taboo nightclub and add her picture underneath the posts.
The heartfelt messages express sorrow at the loss of someone they describe as a loving mother, sister, daughter and cousin. Many of them recounting memories they’ve had with Owens and hoping the suspect that took her life is caught.
“I remember the days u used to come to the park pregnant with your first daughter and u had all your siblings with u, u always had them and never missed a beat,” one post said, ” I really pray whoever took your life is caught, your family deserves justice…! I wonder how anyone sleep at night knowing u just took her away from her family for no reason she was in the club enjoying herself..!”
The Aguayo News I-Team was then able to local Nicole Owen’s social media account where she previously posted several pictures of herself.
Aguayo News Previously Reported BREAKING: New video obtained by the Aguayo News Investigative team appears to show the moments after a mass shooting that took place inside of a cedar rapids nightclub, that shooting killed 2 people and injured at least 10 others.
Directly after the shooting, people can be seen inside the downtown nightclub laying on the floor, others walking around.
Cedar Rapids Police say it happened at Taboo Nightclub and Lounge at about 1:30 Sunday morning.
Aguayo News also obtained video the was recorded directly outside of the nightclub as police and paramedics arrived on the scene.
Witnesses could be heard crying and screaming in the chaotic scene. In addition, club goers in the video could be heard talking about who was shot, and the gunman
At least 10 victims were taken to local area hospitals where witnesses could be heard describing the actions of the shooter while inside the club. A woman’s voice could be heard saying that the shooter stood over the body of one victim to ‘make sure they were dead.’
Officials in Cedar Rapids gave an update Sunday afternoon with the latest developments in their investigation confirming that one male and one female were killed in the shooting, they suspect multiple shooters were involved, and they believe this to be a targeted attack.
Chief Jerman also said police do not know what motivated the shooting,
“This is another mindless and senseless gun-related incident involving a reckless disregard for human life,” Jerman said. “I remain livid and angered at the continued and blatant disregard and lack of respect for human life that continues. That said, I want to reassure the residents of this city that Cedar Rapids is a safe city.”
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell saying that the community needs to come together to put a stop to the this type of violence.
“Shock, anger, grief, disappointment — just a few of the emotions that I’m sure we all feel today,” O’Donnell said. “And I can personally say that as a mother my heart goes out to those moms and dads today who are having the worst day of their lives. To the families of the injured, we are with you and we are praying for a swift recovery.”
Police are asking people that may have been inside of the club to give them any details they can about the shooting by contacting investigators.’
This mass shooting happened one week after the gang related mass shooting at a downtown Sacramento night club that killed 6 and injured a dozen more.
Police call logs show that The Taboo Nightclub has had 61 visits from police in the past year, including 2 incidents with guns and one assault.
Aguayo News Previously Reported:
Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman confirmed that one male and one female were killed in the early morning shooting that happened at a nightclub in downtown Cedar Rapids Sunday Morning.
Chief Jerman did not release the identities of those two victims.
The Chief also said that the shooting appeared to be targeted and that there is no threat to the general public. Police suspect that multiple shooters were involved and may have escaped as people were running out of the club after the shooting.
The Chief also stated that a small group of people are responsible for the majority of crime in Cedar Rapids.
The Aguayo News Investigative team has found what appears to be the identity of the male victim who has been identified in numerous social media posts.
The social media posts identify the victim as Rosco.
The Aguayo News Investigative team obtained pictures which appear to be Rosco that were posted to his social media page.
Here are a few of the numerous messages posted online, saying goodbye to Rosco.
In the news conference Chief Jerman expressed anger at the ‘disregard for human life’ that keeps happening in the city.
This is an ongoing investigation.
Aguayo News Original Report:
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.”
