Lang
10/1/25
Iowa City Police say a gun used in making a threat Tuesday afternoon turned out to be a BB gun.
Officers were called to 1926 Broadway Street just before 3:30 p.m. for a fight with one subject being armed. Witnesses claimed 34-year-old Donald Franklin…who lives in the building where the incident took place…told them he was going to shoot the victim. Franklin reportedly did this while placing his hand on a gun tucked into his waistband.
Franklin was located after a nearby traffic stop. Police say he had marijuana in the center console of his vehicle. One of his passengers, 46-year-old Denaro Smith of the Golfview Estates manufactured housing community in North Liberty, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.
A search of Franklin’s apartment turned up a BB gun that appeared to be a real firearm..
Franklin is now charged with 1st Degree Harassment, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Disorderly Conduct. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum of over three years in jail.