A bright Tuesday morning in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on September 27, 2016, was shattered by an act of violence that claimed the life of 13-year-old Ireshia Parks, a Black female. Shortly before 8 a.m., a report of a shooting in the 800 block of 15th Street SE sent Cedar Rapids police officers rushing to the scene. Upon their arrival, they discovered that a young life had been tragically cut short.
Ireshia was gravely wounded and was immediately transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, she was pronounced dead.
As the initial officers responded to the call, they witnessed three males fleeing the area. A short distance away, in the 1500 blocks of Bever Avenue SE and Washington Avenue SE, law enforcement managed to apprehend the fleeing individuals. The suspects taken into custody were two juveniles and one young adult, leading police to believe that those directly involved in the tragic incident were accounted for, and there was no further immediate danger to the public. The quick response and arrests marked the beginning of a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the senseless loss of a young girl's life.
In the days that followed, the investigation progressed, and charges were brought against the three suspects. The Cedar Rapids Police Department announced that a 13-year-old male was charged with involuntary manslaughter, carrying weapons, and interference with official acts. Another suspect, 18-year-old Dquon Morrow of Cedar Rapids, along with a 15-year-old juvenile, faced charges of interference with official acts. An autopsy was scheduled with the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny to formally determine the cause of death as the community began to mourn the loss of Ireshia Parks.
