CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Thursday at 4:10 pm, Cedar Rapids Police responded to calls for shots fired in the 1500 block of Bever Avenue SE. Upon arrival, responding officers found a female victim who had been struck by an errant bullet while inside her home. She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of her injuries. They appear to be non-life-threatening. Caution tape blocked off parts of Washington Ave and 16th St SE while investigators processed evidence. Police are asking for witnesses to come forward and for anyone with security camera footage to reach out to investigators at 319-286-5491.
PALO, Iowa (KCRG) – A jury trial is scheduled for Samantha Bevans and Tacoa Talley, the two charged with killing Jodie Bevans. Investigators said Jodie Bevans was found unresponsive at a home in Palo. An autopsy was conducted on Bevans’ body on July 17th. Officials say it ruled the manner of Bevan’s death a homicide. In a criminal complaint, officials said Samantha Bevans had made threats to harm Jodie, who was her stepmother. Investigators said they also found a note, written by Samantha, that listed for Thursday to, “Kill Jodie.” The criminal complaint also said Samantha admitted to police that she killed Jodie with an accomplice on July 14. Officials reported that a search warrant return on Snap Chat also revealed Samantha had created a video in which she admitted to planning the killing. Witnesses also told law enforcement they overheard Samantha describing the killing, with Jodie having been choked and suffocated with a pillow. Police charged Samantha and Tacoa with Murder in the First Degree. Both have pled not guilty. The trial is scheduled for November 7th, 2022.
BLACK HAWK COUNTY, Iowa (KXEL) – One driver seriously injured after being ejected after two pickup trucks collided Thursday shortly before 3 p.m. A Ford F-150 was driving east on W. Griffith Rd. as a GMC Sierra was northbound on Ansborough Ave.; police say the GMC broadsided the Ford on the passenger side. The Ford driver was ejected from the truck and sent to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The GMC driver was also treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa (Iowa’s News Now) — On Friday morning, a new ‘flyover ramp’ is scheduled to open at the Interstate 380/80 interchange and it could cause some confusion for drivers. The exit for drivers heading south on Interstate 380 and wanting to turn on to Interstate 80 eastbound, will now be a half mile earlier on the road. That means the I-80 eastbound exit to Iowa City & Davenport will be before the I-80 westbound exit heading towards Des Moines. The elevated bridge is longer than the previous loop-style ramp so it needs more room. If you happen to miss the new exit, Iowa DOT says your best bet is to take Exit 0B detour to Ireland Avenue on Exit 237 or take the Melrose Avenue Exit (Exit 93) to turn around.
