Police: Dad used young son as "human shield" during altercation involving loaded gun (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

The star of our latest Daddy Drama: KEITH J. CERNEY

http://thegazette.com/2012/01/31/police-say-father-used-son-as-human-shield-during-altercation-involving-loaded-gun/

Updated: 31 January 2012

Police say father used son as ‘human shield’ during altercation involving loaded gun
Cedar Rapids man facing assault, child endangerment charges
thegazette.com

Police said a Cedar Rapids man who had a loaded handgun in his possession used his young son in an attempt to protect himself during an altercation early Sunday.

Keith J. Cerney, 24, of 1518 12th Ave. SE, was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon after the incident at his residence, police said. The young boy was not hurt.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said Cerney and his son’s mother returned home around 4:30 a.m. Sunday and began arguing while their son and the babysitter were at the house. The mother called relatives, who came over to the house.

One of the relatives, Kizzie S. Eison, 31, of Cedar Rapids, tried to intervene in the argument. Police said Cerney got out a loaded revolver, pointed it at Eison’s chest and said “I’m going to kill you.”

During the incident, police determined Cerney used the gun to strike Eison in the chest, but no rounds were fired. The two wrestled over the weapon, and at one point, Cerney picked up his young son and used him as protection from Eison, police said.

Police said Eison punched Cerney in the face, causing a cut to his right eye, and was able to get the gun away from him, police said.

When officers arrived, Cerney was in the house and claimed to be the victim in the case, police said. Eison had left, but returned with the gun still in her pocket, police said. Witnesses disputed Cerney’s claims.

Cerney was arrested at the scene and taken to the Linn County Jail. He was no longer in custody Monday afternoon.