An Iowa City teen pleaded guilty to lesser charges tied to a 2025 shooting of an Iowa City woman on Court Street.
Nathaniel Washington, now 18, of Iowa City, pleaded guilty on July 17 to felony possession of a firearm and assault causing injury, a serious misdemeanor. He faces a maximum of six years in jail, with a mandatory minimum of two years in jail, unless the county attorney recommends a suspended sentence.
The plea agreement was finalized just days before Washington was scheduled to stand for a jury trial on July 21 for attempted murder.
Washington was initially charged, along with Moayed Elsid, for allegedly shooting an Iowa City woman, whom he shot and seriously injured in an early morning Aug. 3, 2025, in the 600 block of East Court Street.
Elsid was sentenced to 10 years in prison on June 2 for his role in the shooting after being convicted of assault causing injury, a serious misdemeanor. His 10-year sentence was due to a parole violation for a 2024 charge. Elsid was convicted of stabbing the victim’s son during a late-night break-in at City High School.
Washington’s sentencing hearing has not yet been set.
Police responded to shots fired in August 2025
Around 3 a.m. on Aug. 3, 2025, Iowa City Police responded to the 600 block of Court Street to reports of shots fired and found one person with a gunshot wound to their stomach. They were taken to the hospital for emergency surgery, police said.
According to court records, three other people were treated for gunshot wounds at area hospitals.
Witness testimony, according to court records, identified Elsid and Washington as the shooters. A witness told police that the pair had a verbal altercation with the victim, according to the original criminal complaint, and were seen brandishing firearms.
Police said that cell phone data and witnesses — including the victim — placed Elsid and Washington at the shooting. Police also note that a photo taken hours before the shooting depicts Elsid with the firearm.
Victim targeted by Elsid, Washington, police say
The ICPD claimed that Elsid and Washington targeted the victim because of an “ongoing dispute” between the two and the victim’s son, who was stabbed twice in 2024.
Elsid and Washington are felons and were prohibited from possessing firearms at the time of the shooting.
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: Iowa City teen pleads guilty to lesser charges tied to 2025 shooting
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
