UI Safety Ambassador armed with loaded gun charged after altercation with downtown IC bar staff

Lang
1/3/21

An armed University of Iowa Safety Ambassador was arrested after an early Sunday morning altercation with the staff of a downtown Iowa City bar.

Iowa City Police say 20-year-old Marquel Poole of Peterson Street was involved in an altercation with the staff of Pints on South Clinton Street just after midnight. Poole and his acquaintances were kicked out of the bar, but police say they refused to leave the area. Poole allegedly began arguing with his acquaintances, and an ICPD officer says at one point he saw Poole throw something solid at a patrol car parked on the street.

Poole was taken into custody. A search of his person turned up a loaded Glock 26 handgun in his right front jacket pocket. Poole does not have a permit to carry a weapon.

Police say Poole showed multiple signs of intoxication, admitted to consuming alcohol and registered a blood alcohol content of .099%.

Poole is charged with Carrying Weapons, Carrying Weapons While Intoxicated, Public Intoxication, and Being in a Bar After 10pm While Underage. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of over three years in prison.

Online university records show Poole is a Safety Ambassador at the UI Hospitals and Clinics.