Justin Montravious Dollen, 27, was shot early Sunday morning, Aug. 30, 2015 outside the Porsches Theater of Arts located at 1850 W. Airline Highway in Waterloo, Iowa.
Authorities said the shooting happened around 3:30 a.m. Sunday and that Dollen sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was transferred to Iowa City from an area hospital and died a short time later from his injuries.
Courtesy photo Brandon Pollock / Courier Staff PhotographerPolice remained on scene for more than 12 hours after the shooting, with the investigation seemingly focused around two vehicles at the back of the gentlemen’s club.
KWWL Channel 7 reported August 30 that crime scene tape roped off a back garage door and several cars parked against a retaining wall.
One investigator took front photos of a grey Pathfinder, while another investigator videotaped the scene.
Officials used metal detectors in the areas around the cars and near the property’s entrance.
Police on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, said they were looking for a dark-colored, possibly purple Dodge Durango, and on Sunday pulled one over that matched the description of the suspect’s vehicle, KWWL reported. Though police found a handgun in the vehicle and arrested one person on weapons charges, police said the person was not a suspect in the homicide.
Police continued to interview witnesses throughout that day.
Dollen had previously spent time in jail for possession of a fire arm.
About Justin Dollen
Justin Montravious Dollen was born Aug. 8, 1988, in Waterloo, the son of Tracy Wright and Kandie Kae Redmond.
He attended Waterloo East High School and worked at Tyson Foods.
Justin died Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, after being shot multiple times outside a Waterloo dance club.
Survivors included his father; nine brothers, Julius Ivy Redmond, Joseph Tyree Dollen, Joel Jacob Dollen, Dontay Sanford, Trashon Montgomery, Martavis (Tatum) Wortham, Shuntavis Wortham and Montiair Sanford, all of Waterloo, and Deontay Sanford of Des Moines; and eight sisters, Patrice Williams of Columbia, Mo., Erika Goodall of Arkansas, and Michelle Nyikea Dollen, Regina Sheray Dollen, Rayshayla Swarbrick, Andrea Redmond, Vanna Whitis and Tashee Sanford, all of Waterloo.
His mother, along with his maternal and paternal grandparents, preceded him in death.
Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, at Cathedral of Faith Baptist Church, 3040 Hammond Ave, with burial in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at Greer Funeral Home and an hour before services at church Saturday.
Information Needed
Anyone with information about Justin Dollen’s unsolved murder is urged to contact the Waterloo Police Department at 319-291-4340 ext 3 or Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at 855-300-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be sent with TipSoft or by texting the word CEDAR plus the information to CRIMES (274637). Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt out at any time. Text HELP for more information.
Anyone with information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
You may also submit tips anonymously through the Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers Confidential Web Tip Information System.
Sources:
- Waterloo Police Department
- Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers
- Investigator Brice Lippert, Waterloo Police Department
- Obituaries: Justin M. Dollen (1988 – 2015), wcfcourier.com, September 3, 2015
- Justin Montravious Dollen (1988 – 2015) — Find a Grave Memorial
- “Murder appeal points finger at victim in unsolved homicide,” by Jeff Reinitz, wcfcourier.com, September 4, 2016
- “1 dead in Waterloo shooting outside dance club,” by Courier Staff, Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, August 30, 2015
- “Police continue to investigate weekend slaying,” by Jeff Reinitz, wcfcourier.com, August 31, 2015
- “UPDATE: Police searching for dark SUV in deadly shooting,” by Jessica Hartman, KWWL.com, August 30 – 31, 2015