Council Bluffs shooting victim identified

Mon March 12 2007
Posted Mar 12, 2007
4,876

BY KEVIN COLE WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER COUNCIL BLUFFS - A man found shot to death Thursday on the Iowa Riverfront Trail h as been identified as Robert Scott Hatcher of Council Bluffs. Council Bluffs Police Sgt. Jerry Mann said Hatcher, 38, was living at the Super 7 Inn, 1846 N. 16th St. Mann said officers responded to a report of gunshots about 2:15 p.m. near Playland Park. Investigators found the body of a white man believed to have been in his late 30s on the trail. He is the second homicide victim of 2007 in Council Bluffs. Mann said two people on the trail heard gunshots and called 911. They were questioned at police headquarters. Police immediately began looking for a suspect, described as a man who appeared to be in his 30s an wearing a gray sweat shirt. Investigators have not yet determined whether the shooter and victim knew each other, Mann said this morning. Officers from Council Bluffs, Carter Lake and the Iowa State Patrol searched an area from the park south to Harrah's Casino and Hotel and east to the 35th Street exit of Interstate 29. A State Patrol airplane circled the area for about 90 minutes. The victim, who Mann said was shot more than once, may have been walking on the path. He didn't appear to be dressed for jogging and was wearing appropriate clothing for this time of year. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 328-7867.