Shooting Victim Declines to File Charges

A rural Linn County man, the victim of a shooting last week, has decided not to file charges against the shooter.

The incident happened at about 3:30am Saturday, February 6th. Authorities were called to a residence east of Atkins on the report of a domestic disturbance involving a husband and wife, with shots fired.

The victim, now identified as 44 year old Richard Smith of rural Atkins, sustained 2 gunshot wounds. He was taken to Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, then transferred to University Hospitals in Iowa City. He has since been released from the hospital.

After conferring with the Linn County Attorney's office, Smith has declined to file charges.

They determined that the shooter, a juvenile, was acting in what he believed at the time to be self-defense.