Lamontrece Deshaun Jordan, a 16-year-old boy known for an infectious smile that could light up any room, was remembered by his loved ones as a ray of sunshine. Born in Waterloo, Iowa, on September 22, 2010, to his parents Lamont Jordan and Nikki Alexander, Lamontrece was a student at Expo High School. He was one of many siblings, including his twin brother Lamontae, and was a beloved son, brother, nephew, and friend. He found joy in simple things and had a deep love for nature and the outdoors.
He enjoyed spending time at the River Loop, fishing with anyone who would join him, and gardening, especially planting vegetables. Lamontrece could also often be found playing basketball at the Cedar Valley Sportsplex. Above all, he cherished moments spent with his family and friends.
The afternoon of Thursday, October 8, 2026, turned tragic in Lamontrece's Waterloo neighborhood. At approximately 4:41 p.m., Black Hawk County Consolidated Dispatch began receiving multiple calls reporting shots fired in the area of West 3rd Street and Baltimore Street. Callers soon updated dispatchers that a person had been struck by gunfire. Waterloo Police officers rushed to the scene and found Lamontrece suffering from a gunshot wound. They immediately began life-saving measures. Waterloo Fire & Rescue personnel arrived shortly after, continued medical aid, and transported the teen to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Waterloo Police Department launched a homicide investigation, securing the scene overnight as detectives processed evidence into the next morning. That same evening, at around 8:26 p.m., officers and detectives with the Violent Crime Apprehension Team detained another 16-year-old, Jose Martinez of Waterloo, in connection with the shooting. According to court records, Martinez’s mother had told officers that her son was planning to turn himself in. Police stated that Martinez initially ran from them when they located him.
After his arrest, Martinez was charged as an adult with intimidation with a dangerous weapon, a Class C felony, and interference with official acts with a firearm, a Class D felony. Court records revealed that Martinez admitted to firing a weapon. He claimed that individuals, including Lamontrece, had been throwing bricks at his vehicle. Martinez also told investigators that he fired after seeing the victim reach toward his waistband, making him believe he was reaching for a weapon. Investigators were able to recover a firearm from a location that Martinez identified.
The shooting of Lamontrece Jordan marked the second fatal shooting of a teenager in that same neighborhood in less than two weeks, raising concerns about youth violence in the community. Police did not state whether the two cases were connected. In the days following Lamontrece's death, his family announced a Homegoing Service to be held on October 22, 2026, at Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories, followed by a burial at the Garden of Memories cemetery. His family, including his father, grandmother, and many siblings, were left to cherish his memory, recalling his warmth, kindness, and bright spirit. He was preceded in death by his mother, maternal grandfather, and paternal grandparents.
As of October 2026, the investigation into Lamontrece's death remained active and ongoing. The Waterloo Police Department asked for the public’s help, requesting that residents and businesses in the area of the shooting check their surveillance video systems for any suspicious activity between 3:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the day of the incident. Anyone with information was encouraged to contact the Waterloo Police Department Detective Division at 319-291-4340 (Option 3) or Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at 855-300-TIPS.
