Lang
10/4/23
University of Iowa Police say they’ve arrested a kidnapping suspect after a police chase near the UI Hospitals and Clinics.
38-year-old Christopher Morgan was booked into the Johnson County Jail just before 8:00 Tuesday night. UI Police say Morgan and his alleged victim were living together in the woman’s Jeep. Just after 3:30 Tuesday afternoon the woman left the vehicle during a dispute while they were parked at a truck stop on Interstate 80. Morgan reportedly responded by forcing the woman back into the Jeep, hitting her in the head with a pistol and telling her he would shoot her in the stomach and make her beg for her life. Police say Morgan then drove the woman to the UIHC while threatening to kill her and her family if she told anyone about him. He allegedly dropped her off at the hospital with injuries to her head, arms, legs and body.
At some point a police pursuit began near the hospital, with Morgan reportedly reaching 60 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone. Police say at one point the 2015 Jeep Renegade left the roadway and traveled on a sidewalk, nearly hitting multiple pedestrians. During the pursuit, Morgan allegedly ditched the gun, and a magazine was found inside the vehicle after he exited and tried to flee on foot.
Morgan is charged with 1st Degree Kidnapping, 1st Degree Harassment, Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, Dominion or Control of a Firearm by a Domestic Abuser, Domestic Abuse Assault – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, Interference With Official Acts Involving a Firearm, Driving While Suspended, and multiple traffic violations. The kidnapping charge alone carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. The other charges would total 22 years behind bars.
