CEDAR RAPIDS – Cops say this wanted felon connected to an earlier violent incident took his illegal gun to an Iowa shopping center and fired the weapon, causing stores to close in order to protect patrons.
At approximately 12:37 PM on October 9, 2024, Cedar Rapids Police were dispatched to the southeast corner of the Westdale Mall complex on the city’s southwest side following multiple reports of shots fired. Nearby officers arrived, and an area-wide search revealed several witnesses and evidence confirming shots fired. One male subject connected to the incident was located and arrested on outstanding warrants and now faces new charges related to the incident.
Anthony Pennell (pictured at top), age 27, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with the following:
– INTIMIDATION WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON – INJURE/PROVOKE FEAR – CLASS C FELONY
– GOING ARMED WITH INTENT – CLASS D FELONY
– DOMINION/CONTROL OF FIREARM/OFFENSIVE WEAPON BY FELON – CLASS D FELONY
– HARASSMENT – 1ST DEGREE – AGGRAVATED MISDEMEANOR
– RECKLESS USE OF FIREARM – PROPERTY DAMAGE – AGGRAVATED MISDEMEANOR
– USE OF DANGEROUS WEAPON IN THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME – AGGRAVATED MISDEMEANOR
– CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 3RD DEGREE – AGGRAVATED MISDEMEANOR
– ASSAULT ON PERSONS IN CERTAIN OCCUPATIONS – SERIOUS MISDEMEANOR
– PERSON INELIGIBLE TO CARRY DANGEROUS WEAPONS – SERIOUS MISDEMEANOR
– INTERFERENCE WITH OFFICIAL ACTS SIMPLE MISDEMEANOR
Police reported that several businesses in the immediate vicinity opted to close their doors for a short period of time to ensure patron safety.
Pennel remains in the Linn county jail, awaiting a trial set for March 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM.
Records show Pennel had been wanted on a warrant prior to this event on a swath of charges connected to an arrest by Cedar Rapids police on a July 8, 2024 incident, but he had evaded capture:
– DOMESTIC ABUSE ASSAULT IMPEDING AIR/BLOOD FLOW CAUSING BODILY INJ – CLASS D FELONY
– HARASSMENT – 1ST DEGREE – AGGRAVATED MISDEMEANOR
– CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 3RD DEGREE – AGGRAVATED MISDEMEANOR
– DOMESTIC ABUSE ASSAULT- INJURY OR MENTAL ILLNESS – 1ST OFF – SERIOUS MISDEMEANOR
– FALSE IMPRISONMENT – SERIOUS MISDEMEANOR
– OBSTRUCTION OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS – SIMPLE MISDEMEANOR
Records show Pennel will face trial on the above charges during the same appearance in March.