Authorities identified the man and woman who were shot and killed early Sunday morning inside a Cedar Rapids, Iowa nightclub, and police arrested a man for murder as a result of the investigation.
The shooting happened just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday inside the Taboo Nightclub and Lounge left 10 people injured and two people dead. 25-year-old Michael Valentine and 35-year-old Nicole Owens were identified as the victims who were killed, according to a Facebook post Monday by the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
A Monday evening news release from the city of Cedar Rapids announced that 32-year-old Timothy Ladell Rush, was arrested for second-degree murder, willful injury causing serious injury, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, reckless use of a firearm causing serious injury and possession of a firearm as a felon.
Rush was transported to the Linn County jail. Further information was unavailable. The investigation is ongoing.
Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman said that officers were outside the club when the shooting happened because of an earlier incident and rushed in as 100 to 150 people streamed out. At least one of the victims was targeted, Jerman said during a news conference Sunday.
“This is another mindless and senseless gun-related incident involving a reckless disregard for human life,” Jerman said Sunday. “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.”
Police didn’t provide an update Monday on the condition of everyone who was wounded. Officials said Sunday that one person was in critical condition while the other injuries ranged from minor to serious.
Anyone with any information that could assist in the investigation is being asked to call the Cedar Rapids Police Department at 319-286-5491 or Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-272-7463.
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