Hunter
07/08/25
A Cedar Rapids man wanted for nearly two years has been arrested on multiple felony charges, including attempted murder and kidnapping.
According to court documents, 22-year-old Lamont’e O’Neal of 16th Avenue SW was a backseat passenger in a 2008 Nissan Altima the afternoon of July 2 2023 as it was southbound on US Highway 218 near the 93 mile marker in Iowa City. He reportedly got into an argument with the front seat passenger, pointed his gun at him, and took his cellphone away from him. When the front seat passenger attempted to get his cellphone back, O’Neal shot him in the stomach.
He then told the driver to pull over, and forced the passenger out of the vehicle instead of taking him to the hospital. O’Neal then allegedly put his gun in the driver’s back, took the man’s cellphone, and forced him to drive to Peoria, where officers later located the vehicle.
The passenger who was forced out was taken to the hospital and had surgery to remove the bullet from his hip. Surveillance video reportedly shows the vehicle pulling over on Highway 218 and then driving away.
A warrant was issued July 17th 2023, charging O’Neal with two counts of 1st degree Robbery, Attempted Murder, 2nd Degree Kidnapping with the use of a Dangerous Weapon, Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Willful Injury causing Serious Injury, two counts of Dominion or Control of a Firearm as a Convicted Felon, and Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon.
O’Neal was booked into the Johnson County Jail Monday night. If convicted on all charges, he faces a prison term of up to 135 years.