WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) – Waterloo police identified the man who died after being shot last Sunday. Officials said the victim has been identified as Johnnie Murrell Rose, 32, of Waterloo. Police said the shooting happened in the 1000 block of West 5th Street on Sunday night. Rose was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The investigation remains ongoing. Police are asking that anyone with information regarding the shooting contact the Waterloo Police Department at 319-291-4340, or Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at 855-300-TIPS (8477).
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Senator Charles Grassley has agreed to a debate with challenger Michael Franken on October 6. The hour-long ‘Iowa Press Debate: U.S. Senate’ will be hosted by Iowa PBS at 7 p.m. on Oct. 6. The debate between Grassley (R-New Hartford) and retired Navy admiral Franken (D-Sioux City) will give the two a chance to discuss their platforms and answer questions from reporters ahead of the midterm elections. It will be available statewide via Iowa PBS. Franken easily won the June primary, defeating two opponents including former Representative Abby Finkenauer. Grassley is running for his 8th term.
SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Spirit Lake School Board voted this week to allow 10 staff members to carry guns in schools. Superintendent Dr. David Smith will be able to designate up to 10 staff members, none of whom are teachers, to carry a concealed weapon in school buildings. Those people will be required to go through training, and the school will likely own the guns. The superintendent said the new policy serves as a deterrent for people wanting to harm others. “As a school district, we have an obligation to protect our students and staff from a possible active shooter situation,” said Dr. Smith. “We know that when these events occur, most of the victims fall within the first few minutes. We have determined the right action to take is to give trained staff members the opportunity to stop a killer as soon as possible…” He added other safety features include more mental health support, a resource officer, security cameras, and locked doors.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – A former University of Iowa music professor is facing federal charges of possession of child pornography and distribution of meth, resulting in death. John Muriello, 65, of Iowa City, is accused of buying meth, as much as an ounce or more at a time, from a supplier in California, and having multiple electronic devices containing thousands of pornographic media files. Muriello was placed on leave in May when the investigation began. He retired in July. Court documents say Muriello and a man named Eric Hojka had communicated with the supplier via telephone and zoom since 2020, and that Hojka was a regular meth user. Officials said their investigation revealed Hojka called emergency services at 6 a.m. on May 12, 2021 after finding a person unconscious. That person was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators said an autopsy determined the person died of methamphetamine intoxication, after a “recent minute needle puncture mark” was found. Hojka pleaded guilty in federal court on May 18, to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, resulting in the death of the man. Police said they searched Muriello’s Iowa City residence on May 28, 2021 and found three separate packages containing meth, as well as numerous electronic devices containing child pornography. Officials said one external harddrive alone contained a total of 18,580 photos and 3,183 videos, nearly all of which were pornographic media. Additionally, investigators said one computer was found to have chats involving the use and distribution of drugs and child pornography. Muriello is being held in the Muscatine County Jail. His trial is scheduled for December.
