A man fatally shot two women in the parking area of an Iowa megachurch before he turned the gun on himself late on June 2nd, police stated. The guy carried out the horrific violence at about 6:50 p.m. as a youth ministry service was taking place inside of the Foundation Church in Ames, Story County Constable Capt. Nicholas Lennie informed press reporters, according to the Des Moines Register.
The congregants stayed inside the church throughout the shooting and no other injuries were reported, the paper reported.
No other information was instantly readily available on the obvious double-murder suicide.
“I wouldn’t state I’m surprised as police,” Lennie informed press reporters. “We prepare and we train hard for this, however when it happens, it’s clearly disorderly till you get it under control.”
Ames, the home of Iowa State University, is a city of about 66,000 people located about 30 miles north of the state capital in Des Moines.
According to the Foundation Church website, it was founded in 1994 from an ISU college ministry, The Salt Company, which is the name of its youth ministry today. Roughly 1,300 students participate in services at Foundation every Thursday night throughout the academic year.
“We are grieving deeply,” said a statement from Mark Vance, with the Salt Company youth ministry at Cornerstone Church. “Tonight, a tragic shooting occurred involving two young members of our Cornerstone Church community. It is believed that an adult male shot these two victims and then took his own life.”
According to The DesMoines Register, Vance said in a statement that he was unable to provide any further details about what had happened due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
“We can say, however, that we are more than saddened by the events that transpired. Our hearts break for all involved, and we are praying for everyone affected, especially the family of the victims. Our Ministry staff are available to support all those impacted, and we will continue to fully cooperate with authorities as they complete their full investigation,” the statement said.
“Tonight’s act of ridiculous violence took the lives of two innocent victims at their location of praise,” Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds stated Thursday night. “Kevin and I grieve for the families who have suffered an abstruse loss.”
H/T The New York Post, The DesMoines Register
