Thomas Shooting Update

The shooter has been identified in the shooting of AP head football coach Ed Thomas. Mark Becker has been arrested and charged with 1st degree murder. The 24-year-old, according to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, shot Thomas multiple times, this morning at 7:47. Becker, a former football player for AP, is currently being held in the Butler County Jail. He was apprehended in rural Parkersburg. The school was placed on lockdown following the shooting.

BREAKING NEWS: Aplington-Parkersburg head coach shot and killed this morning

It's a sad day for high school football fans across the state of Iowa. According to the Waterloo Courier, AP head coach Ed Thomas was shot at 8:30 this morning in the weight room of the high school. Thomas was pronounced dead shortly before 10:30 a.m. at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo.

Authorities have confirmed that the shooter is in custody. No word yet on the identification of the shooter. Several reports stated that Thomas was shot in the head. No students in the weight room at the time were harmed.

This is no doubt a tragedy for the AP community. All of this coming a year after the tornado struck Parkersburg. Thomas was a vital person in the recovery effort. He's also had an excellent coaching career at AP, winning two state titles in the process. Thomas also had the opportunity to coach current NFL players, including Packers defensive player Aaron Kampman. Thomas will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Thomas family.

Follow the Courier link above for more information on the case.

Photo Credit: Post Gazette