(CNN) — Two people were found dead following being shot Thursday night during a shooting in the parking lot of a church in Ames, Iowa, police said.
The suspected shooter was found dead in the Cornerstone Church lot, they said.
The shooting in Iowa happened the same night that President Joe Biden addressed the country to insist on the need for laws stricter weapons. Armed violence has shaken the country and sparked new discussions regarding how to prevent it. The most recent incident happened just a day earlier, when a man bought an AR-15-style rifle and attacked an Oklahoma hospitalclaiming the lives of four people.
In Iowa, authorities received a call reporting shots fired in the parking lot at 6:51 p.m., they said.
Capt. Nicholas Lennie of the Story County Sheriff’s Department said he didn’t know if the suspect knew the victims.
The shooting occurred during the first summer night of a college show called Salt Company, KCCI reported, CNN affiliate. Ames, 30 miles north of Des Moines, is the hometown of Iowa State University.
The sheriff’s office was scheduled to provide more information on Friday morning.
For its part, the church planned a prayer service this Friday, Pastor Mike Vance said in a statement.
“Our hearts ache for everyone involved and we are praying for everyone affected,” he said. “Our ministry staff are available to support all those affected, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities as they complete their investigation,” he added.
Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement on Facebook.
“Tonight’s senseless act of violence claimed the lives of two innocent victims at their place of worship,” he said. “We ask that Iowans pray for the victims and their families, the members of Cornerstone Church, and the entire Ames community.”
