WILLIAMSBURG, IOWA — Tragic Shooting on I-80 On-Ramp Claims One Life, Leaves Another Critically Injured
WILLIAMSBURG, IOWA — Tragic Shooting on I-80 On-Ramp Claims One Life, Leaves Another Critically Injured
WILLIAMSBURG, IOWA — A serene stretch of highway turned into the scene of unspeakable violence on Sunday evening near Williamsburg, Iowa, when a shooting along the Exit 225 on-ramp of Interstate 80 left one person dead and another fighting for their life. The victims have been identified as David Robert Morse, 56, and his wife, Tara Elinor Morse, 52 — a married couple whose journey ended in tragedy on what should have been an ordinary day of travel.
The incident occurred in the early evening hours, prompting multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots and a vehicle stopped near the on-ramp to I-80 eastbound. When law enforcement arrived, they discovered a harrowing scene: David Morse was found unresponsive in the driver’s seat, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tara Morse was discovered nearby, critically wounded but alive. First responders rendered emergency aid before she was airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where she remains in critical condition. Authorities have not released additional information on her current status but confirmed that her injuries were life-threatening.
The couple, residents of Cedar Rapids, were believed to be en route to Des Moines for a weekend getaway. According to family members, David and Tara had been married for over three decades and shared a close-knit bond rooted in love, laughter, and mutual respect. They raised three children together and were recently enjoying the newfound freedom of life as empty nesters.
“This is a nightmare we can’t wake up from,” said a family spokesperson. “David and Tara were kind, gentle people. They didn’t have enemies. They were just a couple enjoying a quiet drive — and now our lives are shattered.”
The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and state troopers, has launched a full-scale investigation into the shooting. Detectives spent several hours combing through the scene for evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing dashcam footage from nearby vehicles.
As of now, no suspects have been taken into custody, and authorities have not released a motive. Investigators are urging anyone who was traveling near Exit 225 around the time of the incident — or who may have dashcam footage or relevant information — to come forward.
“This appears to be an isolated but deliberate act of violence,” said a spokesperson for the DCI. “We are pursuing all leads and are committed to bringing justice for the victims and their families.”
The shock of the shooting has rippled through the Williamsburg and Cedar Rapids communities, leaving residents both stunned and fearful. A makeshift memorial of flowers, candles, and notes has already formed near the ramp where the couple was attacked, as friends, neighbors, and strangers alike stop to pay their respects.
David Morse was known in his community as a dependable and hardworking man who had spent most of his career in the automotive repair business. Tara, a former schoolteacher turned freelance writer, was beloved by students and neighbors for her warm personality and deep compassion.
“They were the kind of people who would help anyone — the kind you always saw together, always smiling,” said a longtime neighbor. “They didn’t deserve this. No one does.”
The Morse family has asked for privacy during this excruciating time but expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. A vigil is being planned in Cedar Rapids later this week, where the community will gather not only to mourn, but to stand together in solidarity against the violence that claimed such an innocent life and jeopardized another.
As Tara continues her battle in the hospital, the community clings to hope — for healing, for justice, and for an end to senseless violence that leaves families broken and futures stolen.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers. Tips can remain anonymous.
In the words of one of their children: “They were just going for a drive. And now everything has changed forever.”
The tragedy along I-80 is more than just another headline. It’s a sobering reminder of life’s fragility, the darkness that can strike without warning, and the enduring strength of a community determined not to let violence define it.
