Vargas

A second suspect has been arrested in connection with a shots fired incident in the Marshalltown High School (MHS) parking lot on Dec. 18.

On that day at approximately 4:43 p.m., officers were dispatched to MHS for a weapons call, and they were advised subjects on scene were reporting they had been shot at, while in the parking lot, a short time before. No injuries were reported, and school was not in session at the time of the incident.

Officers arrived on scene and spoke to the victims who were able to provide them with vehicle and suspect descriptions. Officers were also able to gather evidence and obtain video of the incident from the scene. The video evidence corroborated the victims’ account of the incident. Investigators were able to identify a suspect vehicle, which was later located at a residence in Marshalltown, using Flock Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras.

Investigators executed search warrants and interviewed numerous subjects during the investigation. A juvenile female, who has not been publicly identified, was arrested for first degree robbery the night of the incident.

On Monday, Jace Antonio Vargas, 18, of Marshalltown was arrested for attempt to commit murder and first degree robbery, both Class B felonies, carrying a weapon on school grounds and going armed with intent, both Class D felonies, reckless use of a firearm and use of a dangerous weapon during the commission of a crime, both aggravated misdemeanors, and fifth degree theft, a simple misdemeanor. A criminal complaint alleged that Vargas intended to rob the victims of narcotics before discharging his weapon at one of the victim’s vehicles, which was occupied.

Vargas is being held in the Marshall County Jail without bond on the robbery charge and on a $100,000 cash bond for the attempted murder charge. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 9 at 9:30 a.m.