Suspect Arrested for Reckless Use of a Firearm

On Thursday, March 18 at 12:24 a.m., Cedar Rapids Police officers responded to the report of a fight and shots fired at Moco Game Room & Hot Dog Bar, 1602 E Avenue NE.  There was an adult female that had non-life threatening injuries from an apparent assault, however there were no victims that were struck by gunfire.  Officers located a shell casing in the roadway. 

Based upon preliminary information provided by witnesses, there was a fight that started inside the bar that continued outside of the establishment.  During the disturbance outside of the establishment, an individual drove by in a dark-colored Toyota Tacoma and fired rounds into the air.  Witness statements led to the identification of a possible suspect who had been inside the bar and was allegedly driving a vehicle that matched the description of the suspect vehicle in the shots fired.  

Officers went to the suspect’s residence in northeast Cedar Rapids and located the suspect vehicle in the driveway.  Based on the witness statements and the evidence collected, the suspect, identified as Trevor Paul Melsha, DOB/06-20-1995, age 25, was arrested for Reckless Use of a Firearm.  He is accused of discharging a 9mm handgun three to four times in the city limits while operating a motor vehicle on a city street. 

The victim of the assault declined to have officers pursue submission of criminal charges for the assault.  The assault component of this case remains open. 

Disclaimer:  Any arrest and complaint information included above is based on the legal conclusion that, as with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.