Shooting Incident in the 2200 block of C Street SW (Update #1 – Victim Name Released)

The Cedar Rapids Police Department continues to actively investigate the death of a 15-year old female who was found in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with extensive damage from a single vehicle accident.  The victim sustained at least one gunshot wound. 

The victim has been identified as Tyliyah L. Whitis, DOB/04-18-2006, age 15, of Peoria, Illinois.  The Police Department has not received the official cause of death from the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner at this time.

The vehicle was registered to a family member of Whitis.  Investigators continue to process evidence as part of this active, ongoing investigation.

Previous Media Release (July 20, 2021, 11:50 a.m.)

On Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 6:19 a.m. the City’s Joint Communications Center received a report of a single vehicle accident at the Hawthorne Hills Apartment Complex located in the 2200 block of C Street S.W.  Officers arrived on scene and located a vehicle with extensive damage and a 15-year old female deceased, in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The juvenile female also had what appeared to be a gunshot wound(s).  Final determination as to the cause of death is pending per an autopsy scheduled with the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

There is an active, ongoing investigation.  Based on the preliminary investigation, the shooting appears to be a targeted incident. No suspects have been arrested at this time.  The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family members.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Cedar Rapids Police Department at (319) 286-5491 or Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800–CS-CRIME.

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.