In the early morning hours of May 1, 2020, the life of 25-year-old Asia Taqara Grice, a Black/African American woman, was tragically cut short in a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, apartment. The incident unfolded around 4:39 a.m. at an apartment complex on the city's northwest side, where police were dispatched following reports of shots fired. Upon their arrival, officers discovered a harrowing scene. Grice, who was pregnant, was found suffering from gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Another 25-year-old woman was also found with gunshot wounds; her injuries were considered non-life-threatening, and she was transported to a local hospital.
The investigation into the targeted attack quickly led police to a suspect. By 7:19 a.m. the same morning, authorities located and arrested 26-year-old Johnnie Osborne IV at a Rodeway Inn. Osborne was identified as Grice's boyfriend, and it was reported that the couple had been temporarily staying with the other woman who was injured in the shooting. The surviving victim told investigators that she heard a loud bang from the living room before Osborne opened her bedroom door and shot at her multiple times.
Following his arrest, Johnnie Osborne IV was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Asia Grice. Additional charges included nonconsensual termination of a pregnancy, attempted murder, and willful injury causing serious injury. The death of Grice and her unborn child sent ripples through the community, highlighting a tragic instance of gun violence.
