Iowa City Police Officer Shot in Face by BB Gun Pellets While Investigating Shoplifting Report // Updated: Shooting Suspect Identified & Charged by ICPD // Updated: Suspended Sentence

(Originally written on 07/29/19): I just got home from work about an hour ago. I began reading reports on Facebook and Twitter about five hours ago that the northbound lane on Riverside Drive in Iowa City (north of Ruppert Road) was being re-routed due to a heightened police presence in the area. Then we learned that there had been an officer-involved shooting. And now we've learned that two people were shot -- one police officer and the suspect.

Here are the details:

On Monday, July 29, 2019, at roughly 3:30 PM, Iowa City Police Officers responded to a shoplifting complaint by Starbucks Coffee at 11 Highway 1 West. They located a suspect nearby, at a nearby bus stop. Shortly afterwards, an Iowa City Police Officer was shot multiple times by a BB gun, injuring his face. The officer fired his own weapon. He managed to shoot the suspect.

Both the office and the suspect were taken to one of the local hospitals. They are both in stable condition.

Updated on 07/30/19: The Iowa City Police Department announced an arrest connected to this case. 25-year-old Cierra Lewis was release from the UIHC earlier today and transported to the Johnson County Jail late this afternoon.

Lewis has been charged with Assault on a Police Officer Using a Weapon and Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury. If convicted on both charges, Lewis faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Updated on 07/12/20: It's hard to believe that this incident took place nearly one year ago and things are just getting resolved. KCJJ is reporting this morning that 25-year-old Cierra Lewis pleaded guilty to a lesser charge earlier this week. She pleaded guilty to the Assault on a Police Officer charge and was sentenced to a two-year suspended prison sentence, two years of probation, and a suspended fine of $625. The Willful Injury charge was dropped as part of her plea deal.

All of this over the theft of $1 from a Starbucks tip jar.