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Judge sentences Cedar Rapids teen to life with parole for Michael McCune’s 2023 murder
Dante Irvin must serve a 20 year mandatory minimum before being eligible for parole
Feb. 6, 2026 4:41 pm
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CEDAR RAPIDS — A judge Friday sentenced an 18-year-old Cedar Rapids man to life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 20 years before being eligible for parole in the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Michael McCune in 2023.
Dante Irvin, who pleaded to first-degree murder at age 15 as a youthful offender, didn’t show any visible emotions when 6th Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill announced his sentence. Irvin’s family and friends had tears and some cried when they heard the ruling.
After the hearing, McCune’s family, who were in the courtroom, told Anastasia Basquin, Linn County Attorney’s Office chief victim liaison, they are happy about the mandatory minimum of 20 years but wished it was more.
However, they are relieved there is finally a resolution after three years of hearings, pleas and sentencings for Irvin and three other teens who targeted and ambushed McCune outside his mother’s residence at the Tan Tara Apartments in northwest Cedar Rapids.
Following his plea three years ago, Irvin was sent to the State Training School in Eldora. Upon turning 18, he was sent back to adult court for sentencing.
Thornhill had discretion at sentencing. He could have given Irvin probation, a prison term or discharged his sentencing.
Thornhill, during sentencing Friday, said “this is a tragedy for all involved,” and while he acknowledged the progress Irvin made at the training school that showed he has potential for rehabilitation, it didn’t erase the fact that he killed McCune in a “heinous” crime.
The judge said he had considered all the required juvenile sentencing factors, all the evidence and testimony, Irvin’s statement and McCune’s family’s victim statements in making his decision.
The defense and prosecution presented evidence, testimony from psychology experts, statements and arguments last Friday during a four-hour hearing, but Thornhill said he needed more time to review all the information before making a decision.
Assistant Linn County Attorney Ryan Decker recommended Irvin serve life with parole and that he serve a mandatory minimum of 50 years in prison. Decker said this wasn’t an impulsive act. Irvin “set a trap and then hunted him down.” Irvin only stopped firing the gun because he ran out of bullets.
Mike Lahammer, Irvin’s lawyer, recommended Irvin be given a suspended sentence and five years probation. He said Irvin didn’t minimize his role in the crime and pleaded to first-degree murder — a higher penalty than his coconspirators.
Testimony and evidence
During the hearing last week, Cedar Rapids Police Investigator Sarah Lacina testified that based on surveillance video, evidence and interviews with Irvin and the other teens involved in the shooting — Tramontez Lockett, now 19, of Cedar Rapids, Devin Gardner, 20, of Maquoketa, and Baynon Barry, 18, of Marion — they lured McCune out of his mother’s residence at the Tan Tara Apartments, 1640 F Ave. NW in Cedar Rapids, Feb. 18, 2023 and then ambushed him and fatally shot him.
Irvin and Barry fired multiple shots when McCune came into the parking lot and started chasing him into one of the other buildings. Irvin was ahead of Barry during the chase, and continued to follow McCune inside an entryway, shooting him multiple times at close range, which killed him.
Lacina said McCune was unarmed. Irvin’s motive was revenge because he thought McCune shot one of Irvin’s friends but McCune was never arrested or charged.
It was Irvin’s idea to kill McCune, Lacina said, based on interviews in the case.
Investigator Thaddeus Paiser, with the department’s crime scene unit, said Barry fired eight cartridges and Irvin fired one, which were found in the parking lot. The five cartridges found in the entryway, including those fired at close range, were from Irvin’s handgun. There were “defects” on a carpet and the concrete in the entryway of the apartment, where Michael was found, which showed evidence that the bullets were fired while Michael was lying on the ground.
Irvin’s statement
Irvin, during the hearing last week, thanked his family for their support and love and said he was “grateful” for them. He said his family members played a major role in helping him grow into the man he was “becoming today.”
He apologized to them for what he did, saying he was influenced by others but takes full responsibility for his actions.
Irvin also apologized to the McCune family. He said he could never express his “sorrow” and thinks about Michael every day. At one time, he said they were “close friends” and he was “truly sorry” for taking his life.
Irvin told Michael’s family that he won’t be forgotten because Irvin will remember him every day. He is committed to change and wants to have a positive impact on others. He hoped to help other troubled youth.
Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal courts for The Gazette
Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com
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