More charges in bar shooting
Dec. 28—CLINTON — Charges have been added in the Dec. 17 shooting at a bar on Main Avenue.
Ralph Antonio Beal, 39, of Clinton, was initially charged with one count of reckless use of a firearm, two counts of willful injury causing serious injury, and one count of willful injury causing bodily injury following a report of shots fired at Ohana's Neighborhood Bar last week.
Assistant Clinton County Attorney James McHugh, in court documents filed Wednesday, has additionally charged Beal with one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, two counts of reckless use of a firearm, and one count of dominion/control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a felon.
According to court documents, Clinton Police officers arrived on scene at about 1:16 a.m. on Dec. 17 and learned of several victims who had gunshot wounds.
Several witnesses identified Beal, stating he was shooting inside the bar. Two customers subdued him and took the firearm from him before he fled the scene.
While Clinton officers were still at the scene, the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office received a call from a citizen who had observed a male later identified as Beal at a gas station and that it appeared he had serious injuries.
The vehicle that the citizen reported, registered to Beal, was located and Beal was detained after an investigative stop. Court documents state Beal had injuries consistent with being subdued following the shooting.
Officers responded to the MercyOne Emergency Department where three individuals were located with gunshot wounds. Two of the individuals were in critical condition and required advanced medical procedures. The third individual suffered a facial gunshot wound that appeared to be minor.
The charges of willful injury causing bodily injury and dominion/control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a felon are Class D felonies, each punishable under Iowa Code by up to five years confinement. The remaining six charges are Class C felonies, each punishable in the State of Iowa by up to 10 years confinement.
A hearing for arraignment has been scheduled for Jan. 4, at which Beal is to be represented by appointed attorney John David Zimmerman. Beal currently remains in custody in Clinton County with a cash-only bond set at $100,000 for his release.
