Lang
2/28/26
A man staying at Iowa City’s winter emergency shelter is accused of knocking another occupant into unconsciousness.
Iowa City Police say 63-year-old Benjamin Gordon, who lists his address as Shelter House, was staying at the emergency shelter on Southgate Avenue Thursday night when he punched another person in the head just after 10:30, knocking them unconscious. The victim also suffered a loose tooth and a cut lip.
Arriving officers say Gordon ignored their commands and pushed past them to get into the restroom. Police eventually took him into custody by force. Gordon was reportedly in possession of two baggies of marijuana and two pipes with burnt residue.
Gordon was booked into the Johnson County Jail just after midnight Friday and charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury, Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Interference With Official Acts. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum of over three years in jail.