Lang
5/5/23
An Iowa City man is accused of assaulting and threatening to kill two of his friends who he accused of stealing his guns.
Iowa City Police say around 3am on April 30th 21-year-old Ethan Hawkins was walking home from the bars with a friend from out of town when he began making threats about killing people. This disturbed the friend, who called another friend in the area for a place to stay for the night. Hawkins allegedly told the friend that if he stopped following him, he would get his guns from his house, adding, “Run away like that again and I’m going to blow your head off.” Hawkins later told investigators he and the victim have always made such jokes to each other in the past.
Once back at his Ronalds Street residence, Hawkins allegedly threatened a second friend, claiming the man and the other friend were stealing his guns. An argument ensued, and Hawkins reportedly put his arms around the man’s neck and began choking him before punching him twice in the face. The altercation continued, and the second victim was thrown out the back door. Police say the man was able to escape and get to a hospital. He later reported he will miss work for at least two weeks due to his injuries.
Hawkins is charged with 1st Degree Harassment and Assault Causing Serious Injury. If convicted on both charges, he faces a maximum of seven years in prison.
