Dubuque Police Investigate Stabbing and Related Assaults

Date: 09/17/19
Contacts: Lieutenant Joe Messerich, (563) 589-4473
                  Assistant Chief Jeremy Jensen, (563) 589-4444

On 09/15/19 Officers of the Dubuque Police Department received reports of three separate assault-related cases involving the same suspect. Details of those investigations and the corresponding criminal charges are as follows.

On 09/15/19 at approximately 3:59 PM, Dubuque Police responded to 503 E. 24th St for a report of an assault. Police met with the resident, Tyshawn J. Cossom, 27, who reported he had been stabbed by his ex-girlfriend, Tanetra L. Giles, 28. Cossom stated he had been visiting a family member at 1255 High Bluff St when Giles came over and confronted him about his new girlfriend. The confrontation turned physical and Giles began swinging at Cossom. Cossom reported Giles pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the elbow causing a laceration. Giles then used the knife to puncture the tires of Cossom’s vehicle.  Giles left the area and Cossom went back to his residence. Cossom was later transported to Mercy Hospital for treatment.  

Warrants for Giles have been issued in this case for the following crimes: Domestic Assault – Use or Display a Dangerous Weapon (Aggravated Misdemeanor), Domestic Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury (Aggravated Misdemeanor), Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree (Serious Misdemeanor), Willful Injury – Causing Serious Injury (Class C Felony), Attempted Murder (Class B Felony).  

It was additionally reported that Giles assaulted Cossom with a glass beer bottle during a disturbance at 503 E. 24th St earlier in the day around 12:20 AM. Cossom sustained lacerations to his head and hand from that assault. This case is still under investigation.

On 09/15/19 at approximately 7:03 PM, Dubuque Police were called back to 503 E. 24th St for a report of an assault. Officers again met with Tyshawn J. Cossom, 27, and his girlfriend Jenna N. Bowman, 22, of Dubuque. Cossom and Bowman advised Tanetra Giles came over to the residence and began pounding on the door. Giles broke the door down causing damage to the door frame/jam and assaulted Bowman. Bowman sustained minor injuries to her elbow and back and a gash on the top of her head. Giles then left the residence and reportedly threatened to kill Cossom and Bowman as she was leaving.

Warrants for Giles have been issued in this case for the following crimes:Two counts of Harassment in the 1st Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor), Burglary in the 1st Degree (Class B Felony), Willful Injury – Causing Bodily Injury (Class D Felony), Domestic Assault (Simple Misdemeanor), Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree (Simple Misdemeanor). 

A Class B Felony is punishable by no more than 25 years of confinement.
A Class C Felony is punishable by no more than 10 years of confinement.
A Class D Felony is punishable by no more than 5 years of confinement.
An Aggravated Misdemeanor is punishable by no more than 2 years of confinement.
A Serious Misdemeanor is punishable by no more than 1 year of confinement.
A Simple Misdemeanor is punishable by no more than 30 days of confinement. 

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.