Waterloo police charge 2 after attack on reporter

WATERLOO - Waterloo police charged two people after an attack on a reporter during a late-night protest.

Police on Thursday charged Irwin Leon Wade III, 29, of Waterloo, with disorderly conduct and rioting, and set his bond at $11,000, according to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. A 16-year-old also was arrested on similar charges.

They were arrested in connection with an attack after a march in Waterloo just before midnight Tuesday. Those who remained from the earlier protest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis had climbed onto a Highway 218 overpass and were followed by Courier reporter Jeff Reinitz.

Wade allegedly demanded that Reinitz leave and then tried to hit him when he refused. Wade is charged with punching another demonstrator who tried to help the reporter.

After another person tried to knock a camera from Reinitz's hand, he allegedly was struck in the head by the 16-year-old.

The reporter continued to cover the protest until it disbanded a short time later.

Online court records didn't indicate if Wade has a lawyer who could answer questions about his arrest.