A Cedar Rapids teenager accused of shooting and injuring five people on the Iowa City Pedestrian Mall had a history of weapons charges starting in 2022, a recent testimony revealed.
During a July 10 hearing to consider moving the trial to juvenile court, Juvenile Court Officer Tony Dielschneider testified that Damarian Jones, now 18, of Cedar Rapids, was convicted in juvenile court on three separate counts of being a minor in possession of a firearm. The April 19 shooting marks his fourth offense.
The charges date back to 2022. Jones’ most recent charge prior to the shooting was in March 2025. He finished his last probationary sentence on July 24, 2025.
Dielschneider recommended that the case not go to juvenile court because of the nature of the case and the limited services the court can provide since Jones is 18. Most services, the court officer said, require the case to be disposed of by the court before the defendant turns 18.
“Given the nature of the charges and the charges that have come before this incident and after this incident, I have very big concerns for community safety,” Dielschneider said.
Alleged Ped Mall shooter got gun from Cedar Rapids teenager
Jones is facing five counts of attempted murder, five counts of willful injury, and one count of going armed with intent. His trial is set to begin on Aug. 18.
He is accused of obtaining a handgun from his co-defendant, Ka’mari Dozier, now 18, of Cedar Rapids, and firing six shots into a crowd of bystanders watching a large fight in the Ped Mall. The bullets struck and injured five; three were severely injured and required medical intervention, including one victim who was shot in the head.
Jones was arrested in Georgia on May 11 by the U.S. Marshals Service, after fleeing Iowa immediately following the shooting. He allegedly fled with the help of Isaiah Bates, 18, of Cedar Rapids, who is being charged for allegedly assisting Jones and disposing of the alleged weapon.
Jones’ attorney argues juvenile justice system is better for rehabilitation
In a brief filed with the court and during oral arguments before District Court Judge Justin Lightfoot on July 10, Jones’ attorney with the state public defenders’ office, Caleb Jackson, argued the juvenile justice system has a better opportunity to rehabilitate Jones since he was under 18 at the time of the shooting.
The juvenile court system in Iowa can supervise and attempt to rehabilitate defendants up to age 21, according to Iowa Code, if the offense is committed before they turn 18.
Jackson argued that Jones’ age suggests a “need for the brain to mature and develop,” and the likelihood of him completing rehabilitation, are reasons to transfer his case to juvenile court.
Jackson said Jones is likely to complete future rehabilitation since he’s done so in other cases within the juvenile system.
Assistant County Attorney Jude Pannell argued that because Jones is a reoffender, it shows he likely would not be successful if the case were transferred to juvenile court.
“If success is firing into a crowd of people on the ped mall at one in the morning, I don’t know what failure is,” Pannell said.
Lightfoot said he will enter a decision on the motion to transfer the case to juvenile court soon.
Liam Halawith covers Johnson County local government, the University of Iowa, and crime for the Press-Citizen. Reach him by email at lhalawith@registermedia.com. Follow him on X at @liam_halawith.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Alleged Ped Mall shooter had prior gun charges, court considers move
Reporting by Liam Halawith, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Liam Halawith, Iowa City Press-Citizen | USA TODAY Network
