Three Youth Charged After Police Hear Gun Shots Near Zeke's

UPDATED 2:58 p.m. March 11

Two teens have been referred to juvenile court for carrying a concealed weapon and reckless use of a firearm after Ames police heard gun fire near Zeke's, a live music establishment on Lincoln Way.

Another juvenile and one adult also face charges, according to a release from the Ames Police Department.

Police were patrolling the area near Zeke's about 11:30 p.m. Saturday when they heard gun shots and saw several people fighting in the parking lot and running away, according to a release from the department. Three people had also called 911 about 11:10 p.m. saying they heard shots fired near 3329 Lincoln Way.

Ames Police CMDR. Geoff Huff said police in the area heard the shots before the calls came in and according to a preliminary investigation, that people starting fighting after leaving an event at Zeke's.

Huff said none of the juveniles were from Ames. Police believe that three to four shots were fired.

Owners of the establishment have said in a statement on their website that two gun shots were heard in the area after attendees left the venue about 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

An Urban Art Show was scheduled from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Performances included singers, rappers, dancers, poets and more.

“We take this incident very seriously and are grieved by it. Zeke’s exists to make a positive contribution to the Ames community. Our primary mission is to host safe, fun, all-ages events for the Ames and ISU community. To that end, we have been hosting high quality music and performing art events for the last five years,” the statement said.

Read the full statement.

During the course of the police investigation, a third juvenile was referred to juvenile court for assault on a peace officer, a serious misdemeanor, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and public urination, all simple misdemeanors.

And a 27-year-old man, Desmon Turner was charged with interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor.

The three juveniles were being held Sunday in the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center in Eldora.

Carrying a concealed weapon is an aggravated misdemeanor and reckless use of a firearm and disorderly conduct, are both simple misdemeanors.

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