Police respond to shots fired in Charles City hotel

Press Staff Report

Charles City Police evacuated part of a Charles City hotel Saturday night after a report of a gun being fired in one of the guest rooms. No one was injured, but police said the shots did penetrate the walls into other rooms.

Documents filed in Floyd County District Court say the Police Department was called to the Super 8 by Wyndham Hotel in the 1400 block of South Grand Avenue a few minutes after 10 p.m. Saturday, for a report of gunshots inside the business.

“Officers arrived and evacuated rooms surrounding the one where the gunfire originated,” a police report said. “Officers were able to talk with the occupant via the telephone and able to get him to come out of the room.”

Harry William Luciow, 52, of Southport, Florida, was arrested and charged with reckless use of a firearm, an aggravated misdemeanor, and criminal mischief in the 2nd degree, a Class D felony. He was ordered held on $7,000 cash bond.

Court documents allege that Luciow fired six to seven times inside his hotel room, resulting in property damage to the hotel’s electronics, walls and plumbing. Damage for the purpose of the severity of the criminal charges was estimated between $1,500 and $10,000.

“Mr. Luciow admitted that he knew the hotel was occupied by other individuals. The discharged rounds did penetrate through the walls into the adjacent hotel room,” the complaint states.

The Floyd County Sheriff’s Department and the Nora Springs Police Department also responded to the call.