On July 6, 2025, Waterloo Police and Fire Department responded to a report of a shooting in the 1600 block of Mulberry Street, Waterloo, Iowa, just before 11 p.m. Upon arrival, emergency crews discovered a female victim with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. While tending to her, responders were directed to the 1700 block of Mulberry Street, where they found a male victim who had also been shot. The male victim, identified as 20-year-old A’Tarion Key’Won De’Shawn Spates of Waterloo, succumbed to his injuries.
The female victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.
An investigation by the Waterloo Police Department determined that the shooting was accidental, involving multiple individuals firing weapons in the 1700 block of Mulberry Street. The incident led to the unintentional death of Spates. Authorities have confirmed that a 15-year-old juvenile has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the shooting. The teenager faces charges in juvenile court. Additionally, the same 15-year-old has been charged with willful injury causing serious injury, going armed, intimidation with a weapon, and use of a weapon in a crime, related to the use of an AR-15 during the incident.
The Waterloo Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and encourages anyone with information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
