Police: Johnston teen was stomped, shot in drug deal turned robbery

A 19-year-old central Iowa man was shot, dragged out of a car and robbed after attempting to buy drugs, court records show.

The Johnston man met Tyron Cratty, 19, and Madalynn Perez, 20, about 1 p.m. April 12 in the 600 block of Glen Circle, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Johnston Police Department, and got into the couple's black 2012 Chrysler. The victim's name appears in court documents, but the Register does not typically name victims in crimes without their consent. 

Inside the vehicle, the 19-year-old attempted to buy some sort of drug, but Cratty pulled out a gun and fired, shooting the victim in the neck, court records show. The teen was then dragged out of the car and left lying in a Chapel Ridge apartment complex parking lot. Perez was present, but did not assault the victim, police say.

"Tyron then stomped on the victim's head approximately three times before speeding off from the scene," the complaint reads. About $200 was stolen from the victim and a pair of Jordan sneakers was taken off his feet, court records show. The victim was in serious condition earlier this week, but has been released from Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

His father said he was taken home Thursday and cannot move his left arm.

"He has to do therapy," the teen's father said Thursday night. "He was seriously injured." 

Johnston police Lt. Lynn Aswegan said a witness tipped police off to the crime. A passerby reported saw a car quickly drive up to the apartment complex, pull something out of the back seat, "dump it in the parking lot" and then leave, Aswegan said. The witness called police after realizing it was a person who had been left on the ground. The victim told the witness he had been shot in the neck, but did not tell police how or why he was shot or by whom.

Cratty and Perez, both of Des Moines, were taken into custody about 1:15 a.m. Saturday in the 5500 block of Aurora Avenue, police said.

The alleged assailants are restricted from any interaction with the victim, according to a no-contact order filed this week. They are each charged with willful injury causing serious injury, attempted murder, first-degree robbery and going armed with intent. Cratty and Perez is each being held on $620,000 bond and is next due in court Wednesday. 

Grant Woodard, Cratty's attorney, said the accused's lawyers are building his case and look forward to proving him not guilty.

Follow the Register on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at 515-284-8378, tjdavis@dmreg.com or on Twitter @TDavisDMR.