Second Cedar Rapids man arrested after fight at H-Bar in Iowa City last month

Kendel Thompson, 20, facing charges of willful injury, participating in a riot

Kendel J. Thompson, 20, of Cedar Rapids (Johnson County Jail, Nov. 1, 2022)

IOWA CITY — Another Cedar Rapids man is facing charges of willful injury and participating in a riot last month that started inside the H-Bar in Iowa City and continued outside.

Kendel Thompson, 20, was booked in the Johnson County Jail on Tuesday just before noon.

According to the criminal complaint, “a large fight” occurred at the H-Bar, a hookah lounge at 220 S. Van Buren St., on Oct. 23 at 1:50 a.m.

“Multiple persons were removed from the premises and the fight continued in the street,” the complaint said.

Thompson was identified as participating with multiple other people. Antonio Scotton, 19, of Cedar Rapids is also facing charges of willful injury and participating in a riot during the same fight.

There was kicking, shoving, punching and stomping, the complaint said. Scotton was identified by witnesses as punching and kicking a woman while she was on the ground, which rendered her unconscious, the complaint said.

“Thompson acted in concert with the co-defendant in the fight in which a female was injured,” the complaint said.

Police were dispatched to the H-Bar soon after the fight, at 1:59 a.m., for a report of multiple shots fired in the alley. The police activity log said “about 6 shots” were heard.

Waymond Thomas, 36, of Iowa City was struck by gunfire outside of H-Bar following an altercation that started inside. Thomas was transported to the hospital, where he died. The case remains under investigation.

Thompson remains in jail on a $10,000 cash or surety bond. Scotton posted his $10,000 bond and was released from jail Tuesday evening.

The city of Iowa City last week filed a nuisance abatement petition in Johnson County District Court against the property and business owners of the H-Bar following the fatal shooting, increased serious incidents and a spike in calls for service.

The petition requests the court require the H-Bar to close between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily. A hearing on the city’s request for a temporary injunction has been set for Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. at the Johnson County Courthouse.

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