Ed Thomas, the head football coach at Aplington-Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, Iowa, was shot and killed by a former student in the school’s weight room. He was 58 years old. Police arrested and charge Mark Becker, 24, for the murder.
Becker, a former player for Thomas, shot the coach multiple times around 8 a.m. Other students were present in the weight room for offseason workouts but no one else was injured.
Becker had recently been released from police custody after leading police on a high-speed chase Saturday, and faced charges of reckless driving, speeding, and eluding police pursuit. He also pleaded guilty last winter to assault, possession of drug paraphernalia, and fourth degree criminal mischief.
Ed Thomas coached 34 of his 37 years at Aplington-Parkersburg, and tallied a record of 292-84 with two state titles.
