On a tragic evening in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on May 10, 2023, the life of 17-year-old Cristian "C.J." Upah, a White/Caucasian male, was cut short. A junior at Linn-Mar High School, he was known for his kind heart, especially towards younger kids and animals. That night, what began as a planned sale of vape cartridges ended in a fatal encounter. Upah, accompanied by his 19-year-old girlfriend, Mia Updegraff, had arranged to meet an acquaintance from school in the 3500 block of Oakland Road NE.
The meeting was set up via Snapchat with an individual using the alias "Jackson," who was later identified as 17-year-old Keyun McGowan.
Upon their arrival, McGowan entered the back seat of the vehicle and brandished a gun, demanding the vape cartridges and their money. When Upah hesitated to comply, McGowan threatened his girlfriend, pointing the gun at her and threatening her life. In a selfless act to protect her, Upah engaged in a physical struggle with McGowan, which spilled out of the car. During the altercation, McGowan fired his weapon, striking Upah in the abdomen. His girlfriend witnessed him fall and immediately called 911, following the dispatcher's instructions to apply pressure to his wound while also contacting his mother. Despite these desperate efforts, Cristian Upah was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries later that night.
The investigation that followed quickly zeroed in on a suspect. A cellphone left at the scene of the crime belonged to Keyun McGowan, and it contained the Snapchat conversation that had arranged the fateful meeting. Further investigation and witness accounts confirmed McGowan's presence at the scene and his prior acquaintance with Upah from school. It was also revealed that McGowan had confessed to a friend that he had shot Upah during the robbery.
Keyun McGowan was taken into custody on May 23, 2023, and faced a series of serious charges, including first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree robbery. He was held on a $1 million cash-only bond. In March 2024, a jury found the now 18-year-old McGowan guilty on all counts. He was subsequently sentenced for the murder of Cristian Upah.
