DUBUQUE – An Iowa bar fight led to a suspect shooting one fighter in plain view of police, leading to officers unloading on the suspect, and both bullet recipients later perished.
On January 4th, 2026, at approximately 12:52 AM, an officer from the Dubuque Police Department observed a physical fight in front of Odd Fellows bar located at 481 Locust St. in Dubuque. As the officer was exiting his patrol vehicle, an adult male offender shot one of the individuals involved in the disturbance with a handgun. The officer fired his weapon at the offender, who then ran into the bar. The victim who was shot by the offender was provided medical treatment by Officers at the scene and then transported to MercyOne hospital in Dubuque. Police officers searched the bar and located the offender inside, suffering from a gunshot wound. The offender was treated by Police officers at the scene and then transported to Unity Point Finley Hospital. Both the offender, and his victim were later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The incident is currently being investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). The officer involved in the incident was not injured and has been placed on Critical Incident Leave in accordance with Dubuque Police Department policy.
The names of those involved are not being released at this time pending family notifications. This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional details were released by police.
UPDATE:
On January 4th, 2026, at approximately 12:52 AM, a uniformed DPD officer on routine patrol observed a physical fight in front of Odd Fellows Bar. As the officer came to a stop and exited his vehicle, the officer witnessed Jaiondrick Lovely, 28, shoot Cory Wilson Jr., 29. The officer then fired his weapon at Lovely, who then ran into the bar. Officers immediately provided Wilson Jr. medical treatment, and he was later transported to MercyOne hospital in Dubuque. Officers searched the bar, located Lovely suffering from a gunshot wound, and provided him medical treatment. Lovely was subsequently transported to Unity Point Finley Hospital. Both Lovely and Wilson Jr. were later pronounced deceased.
The involved DPD officer was uninjured and will remain on critical incident leave in accordance with DPD policy pending a review by the Office of the Iowa Attorney General, and the Dubuque County Attorney’s Office.
Agencies involved in the response to this incident included DPD, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, and DCI.