14-year-old pleads guilty to attempted murder of Hiawatha officer

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A 14-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempted murder of a peace officer, after he fired two shots at officers at a Hiawatha gas station in May.

Christopher Troy McDaniel pleaded guilty Thursday to the following charges:

• Attempted murder of a peace officer
• Intimidation with a dangerous weapon
• Third degree burglary
• Third-degree burglary of a motor vehicle
• Third degree theft
• Use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime
• Harassment in the first degree
• Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree

Possession of a firearm by a person who is not authorized to carry weapons

McDaniel fired at least two shots at Hiawatha police after they were called to the Big 10 Mart at 1225 Boyson Road, where McDaniel allegedly pointed a gun at a customer. He was taken into custody with no injuries reported.

McDaniel will be given youthful offender status and his supervision will be transferred to juvenile court. A hearing will be held before his 18th birthday to determine whether he will continue to have youthful offender status or be sentenced in district court. At that time, the court and the state will decide his status.