Shooting Outside Iowa Church Leaves 3 Dead, Including Suspected Gunman

KEY POINTS

The shooting took place Thursday at the parking lot of Cornerstone Church
Two female victims were killed while the church was hosting an event
The suspect appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said

Ames, Iowa -- A shooting incident outside an Iowa church Thursday night claimed the lives of three people, including the suspect.

Story County Sheriff's Office said the shooting took place at the Cornerstone Church in Ames, which is about 30 miles north of Des Moines. An adult man fatally shot two female victims at the church parking lot and then took his own life, police said.

Multiple 911 calls were made at 6.51 p.m., Story County Sheriff Capt. Nicholas Lennie said. Dozens were attending a college ministry event inside the church at the time.

"There was a program going on. We do have other individuals inside the church. We do not have any other information at this point if anybody else was injured in this. We are working through the process of investigating this incident and speaking with the others inside the church," Lennie told KCCI following the shooting.

The church reportedly conducts an event for its youth ministry, the Salt Company, every Thursday. The shooting took place on the day the church was hosting a Salt Company kickoff event for college-going individuals, WHO 13 reported.

People remained inside the church and at the parking lot hours after the incident.

The motive behind the shooting is currently unclear. Details about the two female victims or the weapon used have not been released.

Lennie said the suspect appeared to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The sheriff's office confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the public.

"I wouldn't say I'm shocked as law enforcement," Lennie said, according to the Des Moines Register. "We prepare and we train hard for this, but when it happens, it's obviously chaotic until you get it under control."

Officials will hold a news conference at 10.30 a.m. Friday to address the shooting.

"I would also like to take a moment to just extend our condolences to those involved, the victims involved, the families, the witnesses that were here at the church," Lennie told reporters Thursday. "And our hearts are with them as well at this time."