Police identify man shot in alley by H-Bar in Iowa City

Waymond Thomas, 36, of Iowa City died at the hospital

The Iowa City Police Department logo is shown on a squad car in Iowa City. (The Gazette)

IOWA CITY — Iowa City police have identified the man who was fatally shot outside a bar early Sunday morning.

Waymond Thomas, 36, of Iowa City was struck by gunfire outside of H-Bar, 220 S. Van Buren St.

At 1:59 a.m. on Sunday, police were dispatched to the H-Bar for a report of multiple shots fired in the alley. The police activity log says “about 6 shots” were heard.

Thomas was transported to the hospital, where he died.

Patrols, calls at the bar have increased

According to records provided to The Gazette, there has been a sharp increase in the number of times police were called to H-Bar this year.

The logs show there were no calls to 220 S. Van Buren St. in 2021. However, between Jan. 1 and Oct. 23 of this year, there were 173 calls for service at the address.

The call types vary, from 911 hangups and noise complaints, to foot patrol. There are also calls for suspicious activity and two calls about armed subjects, among others.

A shots-fired incident in the alley outside the bar on Aug. 7 left a woman seriously injured. The case remains under investigation.

Of the calls, 43 are for foot patrol and 10 are for extra patrol requests. Another 43 are listed as “out with subject.”

The H-Bar, which until February of this year was referred to in police logs as “Nile Hookah,” has increased its safety measures this year. Co-owner James Miller told KCRG in July that the change was made following a shooting at Taboo Nightclub and Lounge in Cedar Rapids in April.

Miller said the bar has built a relationship with the Iowa City Police Department and officers have had a bigger presence in and around the bar to keep customers safe.

“We increased our patrols around H-Bar this summer and will continue to do so,” said Lee Hermiston, ICPD’s public safety information officer. “We have also increased patrols around Downtown in order to keep community members safe.”

Police request help with investigation

This remains an active homicide investigation, according to police. Members of the public with information — such as camera footage — are encouraged to contact the department.

Investigators are asking those with footage from security cameras near the H-Bar and L & M Mighty Shop — in the vicinity of Van Buren and College streets — to review and preserve those recordings and contact the ICPD with any potential footage or information related to the incident. The department can be contacted at (319) 356-5275.

Iowa City Area Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information about this incident that leads to an arrest. Tips can be submitted via the P3 Tips app, online at iccrimestoppers.org or by phone at 319-358-TIPS (8477).

“All tips and calls are held in strict confidence and anonymity is guaranteed,” a previous news release said.

H-Bar and alley as captured by Google Maps Street View cameras in November 2021

Comments: (319) 339-3155; izabela.zaluska@thegazette.com