Community Corner

Police: Man Bludgeons 'Wrong Guy' with Hammer While Victim Sleeping on Pedestrian Mall Bench


The Iowa City Police Department has charged a man with attempted murder after he allegedly severely injured another man with a hammer.

According to a police press release, at 5:50 a.m. this morning ICPD officers responded to the Pedestrian Mall near the intersection of Dubuque and Washington Streets for the report of a fight in progress. They received more information later indicating that one of the men was hitting the other with a hammer.

When officers arrived they saw one man, later identified as Richard John Hoyt, 52, with a hammer standing near another man who was bleeding profusely, according to the release. Officers ordered Hoyt to the ground and the victim of the attack was transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment of his injuries, which police believe to be non-life threatening.

After further police investigation is was determined that Hoyt had approached the victim sleeping on the bench and allegedly started hitting him in the head with a hammer. Hoyt allegedly told police that he had attacked the man because he thought he was someone he had been in altercation with earlier, but he admitted later that "after the assault, he realized he had the wrong guy," according to the release.

Hoyt was charged with attempted murder, a Class B Felony, and placed in the Johnson County Jail. The case remains under investigation and additional charges are possible.

Iowa City Area CrimeStoppers is offering up to a $1000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of this suspect. Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact CrimeStoppers at 358-TIPS (8477). All calls are held in strict confidence and anonymity is guaranteed. Individuals providing information do not have to reveal their identity to collect a reward.


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