Waterloo, Iowa – A recent incident in Waterloo, Iowa involving police responding to a report of a bicyclist with a gun has left two officers wounded and the suspect dead, according to state investigators. The event occurred early on a Sunday morning when officers were dispatched following reports of an armed individual wearing all-green clothing on a bike. The suspect was identified as Kelvin Lee Plain Jr., 35, who was spotted in Sullivan Park.
Upon confrontation, Plain attempted to flee on his bike and then on foot through the park. Law enforcement officers fired a Taser at Plain as he was running, causing him to fall to the ground, as reported by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation. In response, Plain retaliated by firing a handgun at both officers, resulting in one officer being struck while still inside his vehicle and another being shot while on foot. Subsequently, both officers returned fire, ultimately leading to Plain’s demise.
Following the altercation, the wounded officers were hospitalized and reported to be in stable condition the next day, with expectations of one being discharged. The entire incident was captured on a Waterloo police squad car dashboard video, providing crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation described by the DCI.
Further details regarding the confrontation are withheld at present due to the continuous investigation. Once concluded, the investigation findings will be transmitted to the Blackhawk County Attorney’s Office and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office for further evaluation and review of the circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter. The events of that fateful day underscore the dangers and split-second decisions law enforcement officers face in the line of duty.