Cedar Rapids man charged with murder after Wednesday shooting

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder after a fatal shooting in northeast Cedar Rapids.

Kaleek Lewis, 23, of Cedar Rapids is being held in the Linn County Jail on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, going armed with intent, and use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime.

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At about 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to the 100 block of 27th Street NE for a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they learned the victim — Dedric Arnold, 23 — was being taken by private vehicle to a hospital for treatment of an apparent gunshot wound, according to a press release from the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

Arnold later died from his injuries, the release states.

According to criminal complaints, Lewis shot at Arnold and another man, Morris Gray, while they were approaching a residence to talk with an individual about some lost property.

Nearby Trailside Elementary School was placed in secure status for a short time for safety, but the school was not involved in the incident, according to the police department.

The Cedar Rapids Community School District has not yet responded to a request for comment sent Thursday morning.

Lewis had his first appearance in court Thursday morning and is being held on a cash-only $1 million bond. A no-contact order was filed on behalf of Gray.

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