Shivangi Sinha
In October 2019, Reginald Ward was fatally shot in a parking lot in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Although several people witnessed the incident and others had seen the suspect, the individual remained at large for months. Investigators explored every possible lead, and it wasn’t until March 2020 that an arrest was finally made. The case is explored in depth in ID’s ‘See No Evil’ episode titled ‘The Gold Sedan.’ The episode highlights the key evidence and investigative efforts that ultimately led to justice being served for Ward.
Reginald Ward Was Shot in a Parking Lot
Reginald L. Ward Jr. was raised in Moline, Illinois, where he held a special place in his family as the first grandson of Jacqueline Brown, who cherished him deeply. His father, Reginald Ward Sr., had always hoped for a bright and secure future for both of his children—Reginald and his sister, Alexandria—and worked hard to provide them with stability and love. He took great pride in their accomplishments, especially when Reginald stepped into fatherhood. Watching him embrace the role with care and involvement brought joy to those around him. In 2018, Reginald began a relationship with Kiara Morrise. While his family had reservations about the match, he remained committed to the relationship, believing it was the right choice for him.
On October 30, 2019, Ward was with his girlfriend, Kiara, at her residence in Cedar Park, Iowa. The couple left the apartment together, reportedly so he could drive her to work. During the trip, he made a stop at the Kum & Go parking lot. It was there that he was shot with a 9mm RIP (Radically Invasive Projectile) round, which struck him in the right thigh. This particular type of ammunition is known to fragment on impact, causing multiple severe injuries. Ward was rushed to the hospital, where doctors attempted to save him, but he passed away on October 31. The autopsy revealed that the bullet had severed his femoral artery, leading to fatal blood loss. In the wake of his death, his grieving family began pushing for answers and justice.
Reginald Ward’s Killer Had Been Following His Car Before the Incident
As the shooting took place in a public area, investigators were able to quickly gather leads. Officers interviewed multiple witnesses who were present at the scene and provided key information. According to their accounts, Reginald Ward had been involved in a heated exchange with another man. At one point, Ward allegedly took a swing at the individual but missed. It was then that the other man pulled out a firearm and shot him before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Kiara, who was with Ward at the time, also later spoke to police and identified the shooter as Todd Ricky Jenkins, her ex-boyfriend. She explained that Jenkins had been in a prior relationship with her before she began seeing Ward.
According to her, tensions between the two men had reportedly escalated over time, resulting in several confrontations in the months leading up to the shooting. Kiara told investigators that on the morning of October 30, she and Ward became aware that Jenkins was trailing them in his vehicle. Concerned, they decided to pull over into the Kum & Go parking lot. She also revealed that, prior to the incident, Jenkins had sent her a card professing his love, which indicated that his feelings had not faded. When Ward realized they were being followed, he messaged Jenkins, warning that he would confront him physically. As Ward stepped out of the car, Kiara noticed that Jenkins was armed and urged Ward to get back into the vehicle. However, the situation quickly escalated, leading to the fatal shooting.
Evidence Proved that Reginald Ward’s Killer Had Planned the Attack
To build their case, detectives used GPS data from Todd Jenkins’ phone to track his movements that day. The data confirmed that he had driven to Kiara’s apartment that morning and had followed the couple when they left. His travel route and timestamps aligned precisely with the timeline of the confrontation and shooting, further corroborating the accounts given by Kiara and other witnesses. Authorities gathered additional evidence that strengthened the case against Jenkins. The owner of G & G Retailer, a gun shop in Davenport, Iowa, informed investigators that Jenkins had legally purchased four Glock handguns and corresponding ammunition across multiple visits in 2016, 2018, and most recently on August 30 and October 21 of 2019.
Although Kiara stated that her relationship with Jenkins ended in 2018, the latter had claimed otherwise and insisted they remained involved even after she began seeing Ward. Investigators discovered that he had continued to message her, expressing feelings of betrayal and repeatedly declaring his love. Based on the pattern of communication and mounting tension, police believed the motive was rooted in a romantic rivalry. Jenkins was ultimately located and apprehended on March 27, 2020, at a hotel in Aurora, Illinois, where he was found in the company of Kiara.
Todd Jenkins is Serving a Life Sentence Today
Todd Jenkins was formally charged with first-degree murder and going armed with intent. In 2023, he opted for a bench trial, allowing a judge rather than a jury to decide his fate. His defense argued that the shooting was an act of self-defense, citing the history of tension and prior confrontations between Jenkins and Reginald Ward as reasons he felt threatened. However, the prosecution presented compelling evidence, including records of Jenkins’ firearm purchases and GPS data, to demonstrate that the act was premeditated. They argued that he had planned the encounter with deliberation and clear intent to kill. The court ultimately agreed with the prosecution’s assessment, finding him guilty on both counts. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The 30-year-old is currently serving his sentence at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, where he is expected to remain for the rest of his life.
Read More: Bernadette Protti: Where is Kirsten Costas’ Killer Now?
