At 6:50 p.m., Jonathan Lee Whitlatch, 33, of Boone, reportedly shot and killed Eden Mariah Montang, 22, and Vivian Renee Flores, 21, in the church parking lot.
Thursday The tragic shooting of two ladies outside an Ames church on Thursday was a targeted attack, according to Story County investigators, and the gunman took his own life after shooting them.
When bullets were fired outside the church, it was hosting a Salt Company event.
Who Is Church Shooter Johnathan Lee Whitlatch?
Jonathan Lee Whitlatch, 33, of Boone, Iowa, has been confirmed as the shooter. Whitlatch was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
At the time of the incident, an Ames police officer was in a meeting at the church. According to Story County officials, cops and others arrived at the shooting scene within minutes of the rounds being fired.
On Thursday, just before 7:00 p.m., a gunshot occurred at Cornerstone Church in Ames. When bullets were fired outside the church, it was hosting a Salt Company event.
Authorities identified the two gunshot victims as Eden Montang, 22, and Vivian Flores, 21, on Friday morning.
Iowa Ames Church Shooter Motive
Montag was the target of the shooting, according to authorities. Before firing his 9mm pistol, Whitlatch approached Montag, Flores, and a third female. The third female took refuge and escaped harm.
Whitlatch was arrested and charged in Boone County on May 31st for third-degree harassment and impersonating a public officer. These allegations had a direct connection to Eden.
Two search warrants were conducted. Computer equipment, electronic records, and files were recovered from Whitlatch’s home. Whitlatch’s pick-up truck was subjected to a separate search.
Gun ammo and a receipt from the purchase were recovered from the vehicle of Johnathan Lee Whitlatch.
Johnathan Lee Whitlatch’s Relationship With His Girlfriend – Cause Of Shooting
Montang and Johnathan Lee Whitlatch have lately dissolved their romance. For an incident involving Montang, he was detained in Boone on Tuesday and charged with Harassment and Impersonating a Public Official. He had posted bond and was due back in court the following week.
Flores and another buddy were walking into the church from the parking lot when Whitlatch came up alongside them and hopped out of his truck, armed with a 9mm handgun, according to authorities.
Whitlatch is said to have opened fire, instantaneously killing Montang and Flores. The gun was then turned on Whitlatch.
At the time of the incident, an Ames police officer was in a meeting at the church. According to Story County authorities, cops and others arrived at the scene.