2 Women, Suspected Shooter Found Dead Outside Iowa Church

Survivors hug their family members and friends at the Cornerstone Baptist church parking lot after a shooting outside the church in Ames, Iowa, on June 2, 2022. Nirmalendu Majumdar/USA Today Network via Reuters

Authorities in Iowa confirmed that two people were found fatally shot on Thursday evening in a church parking lot in Ames.

The suspected shooter was also found dead near the Cornerstone Church, officials told media outlets. Both victims were female and the suspected gunman was male, police said.

Capt. Nicholas Lennie of the Story County Sheriff’s Department told CNN that it’s not clear if the suspect knew the two victims. It also appeared the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, he said.

“I can tell you that he was not killed by officers,” Lennie also said. “We’re still investigating to identify if it was a targeted attack, or if it was a random attack,” he added.

The sheriff’s office received several 911 calls about shots being fired outside the Cornerstone Church at around 6:50 p.m. local time, Lennie told NPR.

“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. Due to the ongoing investigation, we are not able to give any details at this time,” said the Cornerstone Church in a statement to a local station.

It added: “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 church is holding a prayer service Friday morning at 10 a.m. local time, the church added.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, also released a statement on Facebook.

“Tonight’s act of senseless violence took the lives of two innocent victims at their place of worship,” the governor said. “We ask that Iowans pray for the victims and their families, the members of Cornerstone Church, and the entire Ames community.”

Other details about the shooting, including the name of the suspect or victims, were not immediately provided. Also unclear is what type of weapon the suspect used.

The shooting comes in the midst of a push by Democrats to pass federal gun control legislation after mass shootings in Buffalo, Texas, and Oklahoma in recent days. President Joe Biden on Thursday night claimed that “common sense” laws are needed as Democrat leaders in Congress signaled they will attempt to bring a slate of bills up for vote in the near future.