Ed Thomas was a well-known football coach who'd served in Butler County, Iowa, for approximately 30 years, winning almost 300 games and training four players who later went into the NFL. About 8:30 this morning, a gunman shot Thomas in the school's weight room while several dozen students were nearby. Thomas was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
More here from the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
A Gazette archive of old stories on Thomas.
An NYT piece on Thomas and how he helped Parkersburg recover from a tornado.
UPDATED: AP now says the suspect is a former player ...
Police say Mark Becker shot Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach Ed Thomas several times at about 8 a.m. Wednesday in the school's weight room. Authorities say students were in the room when Thomas was shot, but no one else was injured.
Police say Becker was arrested shortly after the shooting. He is charged with first-degree murder and is being held in Butler County jail.
Hat Tip: Many thanks, You're A Mean Drunk R2D2! (Who correctly reported the suspect's name before AP!)
Photo is from Waterloo Courier, Rick Chase
From what I've heard so far, the guy who did this is a 2004 A/P graduate by the name of Mark Becker.
I'm sure his reason for shooting him is as shallow as the act itself.
Posted by: You're a Mean Drunk R2D2™ | Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Bud Kilmer?
Posted by: D-man | Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Motive?
Posted by: Elrond of Rivendell | Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Yeah really what is the motive? The kid did not get a scholorship or NFL contract or something and he is blaming the coach...can't find a job???!!! What a strange story. I feel for the students that had to see this, he sounds like a great coach, and his family of course.
Posted by: AJ | Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 01:28 PM
From the Cedar Rapids article...
"Becker was involved in a high-speed chase on Saturday, according to the Cedar Falls Police Department. He was arrested and apparently taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation"
Sounds like the hospital did a bang-up job.
Posted by: Rhonda | Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Not much of a bright side...but glad he didn't start going after everyone.
I'm with AJ, this whack job probably pinned all of his problems on his coach. Or maybe he took out the most beloved person he knew just to make others hurt...
Sure wish he would have put up a big fight when they went to arrest him.
Posted by: REALLY!? | Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 02:15 PM
I haven't seen any follow up with a motive. Very sad.
Posted by: jasonbrown | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 10:55 PM