Crime
Suspected Gunman Ian Hernandez Dead Following Fatal Hy-Vee Shooting in Muscatine
MUSCATINE, IOWA – Authorities have confirmed that the suspected gunman in a fatal shooting at the 2nd Avenue Hy-Vee has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The incident, which occurred on the afternoon of Monday, June 30, 2025, has been described by police as the result of an ongoing domestic dispute.
According to City of Muscatine spokesperson Kevin Jenison, the suspect has been identified as Ian Hernandez, a resident of Davenport, Iowa.
Hernandez succumbed to life-threatening injuries late Monday after being airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospital.
At approximately 2:00 p.m., Muscatine police dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire inside the Hy-Vee on 2nd Avenue.
Responding officers arrived to find Kalista Rae Hallberg, 37, of Letts, Iowa, deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police quickly identified Hernandez as the suspect and located his vehicle — a red minivan — at the intersection of Highway 61 and Highway 38.
Officers found Hernandez inside the vehicle suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emergency responders administered life-saving measures before transporting him to a local hospital, and then to the University of Iowa Hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead.
The Muscatine Police Department has confirmed that the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute between Hallberg and Hernandez.
Investigators have not indicated any ongoing threat to the public.
Police urged the public to avoid the area surrounding Hy-Vee and nearby intersections through 7 a.m. Tuesday, as the investigation and cleanup continued.
A spokesperson for Hy-Vee Corporate issued a statement acknowledging the tragedy:
“This has been a tragic and difficult day for the Muscatine community. The Muscatine Police Department has confirmed that a woman was shot and killed in our store this afternoon. While there is no ongoing threat to the public, we are deeply saddened by this loss of life. Our thoughts are with the victim and the community as we grieve together.”
Hy-Vee has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement and is providing time off and counseling services to employees who were present during the shooting.
The store will remain closed until cleared by police and deemed ready to reopen.
Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark issued a heartfelt statement addressing the community and the family of the victim:
“I want to offer my deepest thoughts and prayers to the family of Kalista Rae Hallberg, whose life was tragically taken in a senseless act of violence. This horrific event has deeply wounded the spirit of our close-knit community. No one should fear for their safety in Muscatine — a place we call home. We stand united in our grief and our resolve to build a safer, more compassionate community.”
Mayor Bark also praised the swift and courageous response of local first responders, including the Muscatine Police Department, Muscatine Fire Department, County Emergency Management, and Iowa State Patrol.
“The City of Muscatine pledges full support to law enforcement as they continue their work. Let us honor Kalista’s memory by standing together and committing to peace, safety, and unity.”
The Muscatine Police Department continues to investigate the incident, including the events leading up to the shooting.
They have asked the public to avoid the 2nd Avenue Hy-Vee, as well as the areas around Highway 61 and Highway 38, and Highway 61 and 2nd Avenue, while law enforcement completes its work.
Officials have reiterated that there is no active threat to the public at this time.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact Muscatine Police.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.