Man who admitted to fatal shooting in Cedar Rapids in 2022 pleads guilty

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The man who admitted to killing Kavon Johnson in January 2022 pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on Tuesday.

Kazius Childress, 22, also pleaded guilty to shooting Cordal Lewis. In this case, he also pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

Police said the fatal shooting of Cordal Lewis was a targeted shooting in the 300 block of 31st Street Drive SE in Cedar Rapids on Jan. 27, 2022.

A video shown in court showed Childress shooting Lewis. U.S. Marshals arrested Childress in Davenport in May 2022.

Officials said Childress shot Kavon Johnson just one day later. Johnson's body was found in Cedar Valley Park on Blakely Boulevard SE.

Childress was tried separately in these two cases.

The maximum penalty for premeditated murder is 50 years in prison. He must also pay $150,000 in restitution.

The sentencing hearing is expected to take place at the end of October.

Pierra Baugh allegedly plotted with Childress to rob Cordal Lewis and participated in the robbery. In July, she pleaded guilty to several counts for her involvement in the case.

Qiuinyana Jones is also charged in the case. Police said surveillance video showed Jones acting as a getaway driver for Childress as he fled the scene. A hearing on Jones' guilty plea is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

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