The third lady remained unharmed. One of the ladies had previously been in a romantic involvement with Whitlatch. Whitlatch fatally shot and murdered two females, who were recognized as Eden Montang, 22, and Vivian Flores, 21, both scholars at Iowa State University.
Fitzgerald stated that Whitlatch did not make an effort to enter the church subsequent to carrying out the “focused act of aggression.” Fitzgerald mentioned that Whitlatch passed away due to an evident self-inflicted gunshot injury.
Fitzgerald stated that the charges on Tuesday were “closely linked” to one of the victims, and Whitlatch had been accused of harassment and pretending to be a government official two days prior to the shooting.
‘THEY’RE TREASURED’: With tears and fondness, individuals from Ames offer prayers for the victims of the devastating shooting incident in the parking area.
Authorities reported that the perpetrator employed a 9 mm handgun, and subsequently discovered 9 mm bullets in his vehicle, accompanied by a purchase receipt dated one hour prior to the incident.
Just before 7 p.M., Approximately 80 local high school and college students were gathered in the auditorium of Cornerstone Church, a megachurch located 30 miles north of Des Moines, for a group Bible study. It was at this time that the shooting incident occurred.
Mark Vance, who is part of the Salt Company youth ministry at Cornerstone Church, expressed his sorrow in a statement on Thursday, stating, “We are profoundly saddened.” He further stated, “Last night, a devastating shooting took place, involving two young individuals from our Cornerstone Church community… Our Ministry team is here to provide assistance to all those affected, and we will actively collaborate with the authorities as they conclude their thorough investigation.”
The court records show that the suspect had several domestic cases where he was accused of leading incidents, including inappropriate or violent actions towards women.
She wrote in 2017 that the suspect had previously dated and had a child with the woman, who received a protective order for domestic abuse. Before the suspect could punch her, she stopped him by landing a blow and grabbing her throat, but he still threatened her to come home and kill her.
He was also charged in November after a woman accused him of groping her, facing charges of intent to commit sexual assault, aggravated misdemeanor assault, and incident records showing the confirmed surveillance footage.
‘WE’RE IN A STANDSTILL’: There have already been twelve mass shootings this year.

The governor of Iowa, Kim Reynolds, stated that the shooting was an “act of senseless brutality.”
On Twitter, Governor Reynolds expressed her condolences for the families who have suffered an unimaginable loss. She asked Iowans to pray for them and emphasized the importance of learning more and continuing the investigation. She also mentioned the members of the Cornerstone Church and their families, as well as the entire Ames community, urging everyone to pray for the victims and their loved ones. Governor Reynolds described the act of senseless violence that took the lives of two innocent victims as a heartbreaking tragedy.
Four people were killed in a medical building in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Wednesday, and two teachers and 19 students died in a shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas last week. Additionally, ten people were killed in a grocery store in Buffalo, New York on May 14. These incidents of mass shootings are occurring after several high-profile shootings, including the Ames shooting.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, President Joe Biden urged Congress to approve comprehensive gun control laws.
The Salt Company, which remains the name of the church’s university ministry, was established in 1994 from a college ministry at ISU, as stated on its website. It is located just south of Lake Wesley amidst expansive fields. Cornerstone Church defines itself as a “multigenerational church with a fervor to connect with the upcoming generation of college students through the Gospel.”
About 1,300 students gather to worship at Cornerstone every Thursday night during the school year, according to The Salt Company’s website says.
FROM BACK SURGERY TO MASS KILLING: The unfolding of the tragic Tulsa hospital shooting.
‘GUN VIOLENCE NEVER CEASES’: Uvalde was permanently altered following the tragic shooting.