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Suspect in Ped Mall Shooting Given Deferred Judgment
24-year-old Iziah Poulsen avoids jail time for 2024 incident that injured two people
Published on Feb. 6, 2026
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A suspect in a 2024 shooting on the Iowa City Ped Mall that left two people injured has been given a deferred judgment as part of a plea deal. 24-year-old Iziah Poulsen of Coralville was involved in an argument outside the Graduate Hotel when he discharged a firearm several times, hitting an uninvolved subject and a nearby taco cart employee. Poulsen has a previous weapons conviction, making him ineligible to carry a firearm.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence and repeat offenders in the Iowa City area, as well as the challenges of balancing public safety with rehabilitation through the criminal justice system.
The details
Police say Poulsen pistol-whipped and shot at a person who tried to disarm him during the incident, which triggered a HawkAlert from the University of Iowa. Last week, Poulsen was given a deferred judgment on charges of Participating in a Riot and Reckless Use of a Firearm Causing Property Damage, while more serious charges were dismissed.
- The shooting occurred just before 1:00 AM on July 20th, 2024.
- Poulsen was given the deferred judgment last week.
The players
Iziah Poulsen
A 24-year-old Coralville resident with a previous weapons conviction who was involved in a 2024 shooting incident on the Iowa City Ped Mall.
Judge Brandon Schrock
The judge who handed down the deferred judgment to Iziah Poulsen as part of a plea deal.
What’s next
The judge's decision to grant Poulsen a deferred judgment has raised concerns in the community about public safety and the treatment of repeat offenders.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing gun violence and balancing public safety with rehabilitation efforts within the criminal justice system, particularly in college towns like Iowa City where tensions can run high.
