Criminal complaint reveals new details in Westdale shooting incident

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A criminal complaint provides more details about a shooting incident that happened Wednesday in the Westdale area of Cedar Rapids.

Police said they were called to the southeast corner of the Westdale Mall complex around 12:37 a.m. Wednesday for reports of gunshots.

Anthony Pennell, 26, of Cedar Rapids, was arrested for the alleged incident.

A criminal complaint released Thursday says the incident began with a confrontation between Pennell and another man at Ross Dress For Less in the Westdale area of Cedar Rapids on Wednesday.

Authorities said witnesses at the scene reported seeing Pennell take a firearm from her friend’s purse before shooting the victim, who was driving at the time.

Nobody was injured.

When a Cedar Rapids police officer responded to the scene, the officer said Pennell fled despite being told to stop.

Pennell was taken into custody in the PetSmart parking lot.

The officer said that while he was placing Pennell in a squad car, Pennell kicked him in the head.

Police also said Pennell kicked the door of a patrol car, resulting in damage estimated at between $750 and $1,500.

Pennell faces the following charges:

Intimidation with a Weapon
Criminal in possession of a firearm
Use of a weapon in the commission of a crime
Person ineligible to possess dangerous weapons
Going armed with intent
Interference in Official Acts
Attack on a peace officer
Criminal Mischief 3rd

When officers found Pennell on Wednesday in the Westdale area, they discovered he had an outstanding arrest warrant for a September incident on Wiley Boulevard SW.

A criminal complaint for that incident says Pennell allegedly grabbed someone’s purse, pulled her to the ground and tackled her, slamming her face into the ground.

The victim reported that Pennell kicked her in the ribs and threatened to stab and shoot her. The victim also reported that when she tried to call 911 for help, Pennell allegedly took her phone away.

Pennell has been convicted of felony intentional injury in Johnson County since October 2018.

That 2018 incident happened under a bridge in the 400 block of S. Gilbert Street in Iowa City. Police said Pennell hit a victim in the face with an object while she was lying on the ground, causing a fracture and extensive bruising.