Dubuque Police Investigate Overnight Shots Fired Cases 

Date: 01/01/20
Contacts: Lieutenant Joe Messerich, (563) 589-4473
                  Assistant Chief Jeremy Jensen, (563) 589-4444

On Jan. 1st, 2020 at approximately 12:14 a.m., Dubuque Police received a report of shots fired near the 1500 block of Central Ave. The initial investigation did not yield any evidence and the sound was believed to be fireworks at the time. Shell casings were later recovered at approximately 12:02 p.m. in the alley between 1500 blocks of Iowa St. and Central Ave. City of Dubuque traffic cameras were reviewed and showed a subject firing several rounds in the air shortly after midnight. No disturbance can be seen in the area. Although the discharge of a firearm may have been celebratory and not directed at anyone, it is still a criminal violation and the case remains under investigation. 

On Jan. 1, 2020 at approximately 2:05 a.m., Dubuque Police Department responded to a report of shots fired near 19th and Jackson St. Officers arrived on scene and located bullet impact marks on the exterior of 1885 and 1889 Jackson St. No injuries were reported in this incident. Witness accounts and City of Dubuque traffic camera footage confirmed a large disturbance in the street but the parties involved fled before Officers arrived on scene. This case also remains under investigation. 

On Jan. 1, 2020 at approximately 3:22 a.m., Dubuque Police responded to the 1000 block of Walnut St. for a report of shots fired. Officers arrived on scene and observed a suspect running from the area. Officers gave chase and the suspect ultimately ran to 1395 Walnut St.

Officers located shell casings in the 1000 block of Walnut St. and a bullet impact mark on the exterior of a residence at 1105 ½ Walnut St. Officers also located a handgun behind 1030 Walnut St. 

While Officers were investigating at the scene, Darrin D. Heard, (25), arrived at Unity Point Finley Hospital seeking treatment for a gunshot wound to his abdomen that he sustained during the Walnut St. shooting. Heard was transported by a private vehicle and his injuries are considered non-life threatening at this time. 

Officers reviewed City of Dubuque traffic cameras which showed a disturbance in the 1000 block of Walnut St. just before the shooting. Shots were fired during the disturbance and investigators determined that the suspect who was chased to 1395 Walnut St. had shot Heard from the front porch area of 1030 Walnut St. 

Officers/Investigators served a search warrant at 1395 Walnut St. and located Derrick D. Timmons, (28), inside. Timmons was positively identified as the suspect who shot Heard and fled from Officers. 

Timmons has been arrested and charged with the following offenses:

One count of Attempted Murder, a Class B Felony. A Class B Felony is punishable by confinement of no more than 25 years.

One count of Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, a Class C Felony. A Class C Felony is punishable by confinement of no more than 10 years, and a fine of at least $1,000 but no more than $10,000. 

One count of Going Armed with Intent, a Class D Felony. A Class D Felony is punishable by confinement of no more than five years, and a fine of at least $750 but no more than $7,500.

One count of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, a Class D Felony. A Class D Felony is punishable by confinement of no more than five years, and a fine of at least $750 but no more than $7,500.

The investigation into the Walnut St. shooting remains active. It is unknown if the shots fired case on Jackson St. is related to the Walnut St. shooting at this time. 

As with any criminal case, the charges filed are allegations and any suspects are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. If you have any information on this incident or others, please call the Dubuque Police Department at 563-589-4415 or Crime Stoppers at 800-747-0117 or 563-588-0714 (if the information leads to an arrest, the caller is eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000). You can also submit tips anonymously online at www.cityofdubuque.org/police or through the MyDBQ smartphone app available at www.cityofdubuque.org/MyDBQ.