In the early morning hours of Sunday, June 1, 2014, the life of 21-year-old Nor Carroll Gant Jr., a Black/African American male from Waterloo, Iowa, was tragically cut short. Police were called to the 1800 block of Tremont Street in Cedar Falls at approximately 1:36 a.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered Gant lying in the yard of a home, suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound.
A loud party had been taking place at a neighboring rental property, and it is believed the shooting occurred outside near a car during this gathering.
Paramedics rushed Gant to Sartori Hospital, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead a short time later. An autopsy conducted by the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny confirmed the cause of death. Residents in the college town neighborhood reported hearing popping noises, which some initially dismissed as fireworks, a common sound in the area. The reality of a homicide investigation in their community came as a shock to many.
In the wake of the shooting, Cedar Falls police, with assistance from state troopers, cordoned off a two-block area of Tremont Street to conduct their investigation and speak with potential witnesses. Authorities announced that the shooter remained at large but assured the public that they were not in immediate danger, though they did not release a description of any suspect. Despite the passage of time and continued investigation, no arrests have been made in connection with Gant's murder. His family and friends remember him as an outgoing person who enjoyed playing basketball and video games, and they continue to seek justice and answers in his unsolved killing.
